This is the first location in Ohio, and the third overall.
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Grandpa Joe's was originally founded by Christopher Beers in Pittsburgh, and has two locations in Pennsylvania. Tiffany Kelly said they decided to jump on the opportunity when a space became available in downtown Miamisburg.
“We thought, we don’t have anything like this in Dayton,” she said. “We should own one.”
The appeal, Kelly said, is the vintage feel of the store. With its checkered-tile floors and blue-and-white walls, the owners have transformed the space into a classic mom-and-pop candy shop. Customers can expect upbeat music — tunes ranging from Ritchie Valens to Vanilla Ice.
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“You never know what you’re going to hear when you come in,” Kelly said.
According to the National Confectioners Association, seasonal candy sales account for more than $7.2 billion every year. More than 70 percent of Americans will give chocolate or candy to another person later this month for Valentine’s Day, according to the NCA.
An upwards of 400,000 jobs in agriculture, transportation, and retail are supported by the candy industry.
Grandpa Joe’s has a full candy bar on display, where customers can fill a box of treats for just $5. Candy lovers can grab boxes of Nerds, Swedish Fish, gumballs and chocolate pretzels.
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The store has more than 200 bottles of specialty sodas. Flavors include everything from Coca-Cola to Flying Cauldron Butter Scotch Beer and specialty sodas that taste like ranch dressing and buffalo sauce. Customers can also buy novelty items like funny socks, notepads, mugs and magic trick toys.
The store also offers bulk candy orders and gourmet chocolate candies, and customers can buy products online at grandpajoescandyshop.com.
The store brings in customers from all over the place, like Troy and Piqua, said Ryan Homsi, city planner for Miamisburg.
“There’s nothing really like it in the area, and it’s a great addition to our downtown,” Homsi said.
Grandpa Joe’s is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Kelly family did not plan a grand opening ribbon cutting, and hopes to celebrate with the Miamisburg community for their one-year anniversary in April.
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