HOOD RIVER — Many of us see an empty storefront and wonder what the space will someday become. Others, like the owners of The Sweet Spot, 104 Oak St., see an empty space as a blank canvas to paint their daydreams on.
Locals Rachel Rand, Durham Jacklin, and Baylee Olson put their brains and brawn together to open a candy shop in downtown Hood River just in time for the holiday season. They officially open Dec. 5 and are excited to participate in First Friday Dec. 6.
Don’t expect to find Skittles and Hershey bars at The Sweet Spot, as the owners sought out more obscure products like international sweets, novelty sodas, and nostalgic brands that are harder to source. “We wanted it to be crazy and special and fun. We don’t have any normal candy here that you can just get anywhere,” Rand said.
The Sweet Spot is Hood River's newest addition to downtown: A candy shop filled with novelty sweets and fun art like gummy bear chandeliers.
Photo courtesy of Baylee Olson
The Sweet Spot will also feature local treats like macaroons from Go With Flo and chocolate bark from Oregon Bark. Curated gummy mixes and holiday-themed delicacies decorate the shop, which also sells bags of candy by weight and offers items that are sugar free, vegan, and gluten free.
Rand, Jacklin, and Olson agreed that variety in their personal palates has been an asset to the business, each of them choosing candies and flavors to fill the store. They’ve also encouraged the community to provide suggestions about what sweets they would like to see — from licorice to maple fudge and sour gummies.
The trio said The Sweet Spot started as a daydream after friends Rand and Olson noticed the space on Oak Street, once a boutique clothing store, was vacant. “We would come and stop and stare at the empty store, just imagining all the things that it could be,” said Rand.
One day, partners Jacklin and Olson reflected on the other mountain towns they’ve called home and realized what was missing in the heart of the Gorge — a candy shop. Within weeks, Olson got started on a business proposal.
Things moved fast and they acquired their LLC around Sept. 1, and keys to their new storefront Sept. 17. They set their sights on opening at the beginning of December, around the same time Olson is due with her and Jacklin’s first child. “A candy shop’s as good as a nursery, right?” Olson joked.
After tackling the business side of things, they dove into the interior of the shop and transformed the small space into a dreamy pastel wonderland. Designs started with non-negotiable checkerboard flooring and gathered speed with visions of a candy wall and gummy bear chandeliers. The group installed, painted, and built everything themselves, from light switch covers to an art-pop gallery wall.
Owners of The Sweet Spot Rachel Rand (front), Baylee Olson (middle-right), and Durham Jacklin (back) smile sweetly in their new storefront.
Photo courtesy of Baylee Olson
Their inspiration for the space was bright, fun, and “super aesthetic” with a crafty, artistic vibe. Each step of the process helped inspire the next artistic decision they made, something the young entrepreneurs found rewarding. “The space is an art space. We want people to walk in and feel the art and see new things every time they come in,” Olson said.
A constant challenge has been self-control when it comes to sampling their products, since all three owners have a self-proclaimed sweet tooth. Otherwise, their business process was very linear, allowing them to focus step-by-step rather than get overwhelmed with the big picture. “We’re all pretty big dreamers so making that first step and taking the leap to invest in ourselves was huge,” Rand said.
Rand, Jacklin, and Olson shared how successful they felt before even opening their doors, often greeting curious locals who stopped by to see their progress and offer encouragement. “Hopefully we’ll be able to establish ourselves as a good part of the community. We plan on being here awhile,” Jacklin said.
Community support for The Sweet Spot has also been overwhelming online, where they have gathered a large following on Tiktok and Instagram. Videos with behind-the-scenes updates have bolstered their popularity and public anticipation. “We’re shocked by how many people want to follow along with the process, and it’s nice not to be so serious about it. The community is buzzing!” Olson said.
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