Port Washington candy shop heads to Albertson
Stephanie Bangel has been operating The Candy Store in Port Washington for four years. Now she's moving her business to Albertson so she is more conveniently located for Long Island customers. (April 05, 2011) Credit: T.C. McCarthy
After opening its doors four years ago, The Candy Store on Main Street in Port Washington is taking a ride on the Wonkavator to Albertson.
The sweet shop, known for birthday parties and vintage candies, is moving to 1061 Willis Ave., where proprietor Stephanie Bangel expects to see more traffic. The Albertson location is expected to open May 1, the same day the Port Washington location, at 41A Main St., closes for the last time.
“We are going to be located more central to Long Island,” Bangel, 39, said.
The store owner said she always wanted to open her own business, and has a deep affection for candy after growing up surrounded by it. Bangel’s father, Neil Endelson, was in the syrup business and was constantly bringing home soda and boxes of candy.
“One day it just came to me -- everyone loves candy,” she said. “I can cater to everyone from a 2-year-old in a stroller to a 102-year-old.”
The shop is a popular place for birthday parties, and the Albertson location will provide more room for those festivities. Bangel has a wall of hands in the Port Washington shop’s party room, featuring fingerpaintings of every child who has had a birthday at The Candy Store since it opened.
“That’s one thing I’m going to miss,” Bangel said, although she added the tradition is coming with her to Albertson.
