Zingerman’s to open new retail candy shop this weekend

Zingerman’s latest standalone business, the Zingerman’s Candy Manufactory, will mark its grand opening with treat samples and candy-making demonstrations on Oct. 28 at 3723 Plaza Dr., Ste. 3, in Ann Arbor.

The Candy Manufactory has been running as a wholesale business since 2009 out of a space inside Zingerman’s Bakehouse, with products being sold at retail stores around the country and through the Zingerman’s mail order business. However, the candy manufacturing business ran out of production space in recent years. Staff had been discussing moving for almost two years, says retail store and marketing manager Allison Schraf.

The company moved into its new location between two other Zingerman’s businesses — Zingerman’s Coffee Co. and Zingerman’s Creamery — in May, with a “soft opening” of retail operations in late August.

Schraf says the community response to the announcement of the candy store’s opening has been “amazing” and proves that the company’s idea to open a retail space was a winner.

“Nothing substitutes for people being able to walk in and hear about our candy, taste it, and see it being made,” Schraf says.

The store will offer Zingerman’s marshmallows, candy bars, roasted nuts, and other products such as bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup. But 30 percent of the inventory will be hard-to-find candies from other manufacturers around the globe, like French Broad chocolates, Shraf says.

The candy store will host a grand opening celebration from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Guests are invited to watch the candy production process, sample various sweet treats, and enter a drawing for a collection of candy valued at $200. Children who visit will be given a free Halloween-themed book, and all visitors are eligible for a 20 percent discount on purchases all day.

“We think the grand opening and the discount will be a great way to thank the people who have been supporting us and buying our candy for so many years,” Schraf says. “We want to make it a big, fun party and show that we put our heart and soul into everything we make and all the service we give.”

More information about the grand opening is available at the Zingerman’s website.

Sarah Rigg is a freelance writer and editor in Ypsilanti Township. You may reach her at sarahrigg1@gmail.com.

Photos courtesy of Zingerman’s.