Jul 16, 2014 2 min read

Summer has gotten a lot sweeter in Hickory.

Simply Sweet Shoppe opened July 3, featuring a bounty of homemade candy, soft-serve and hard ice cream, fudge and other delectable treats. It is open noon to 9 p.m. daily at 110 Main St. (Route 50), site of a former pizza shop and next to Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department.

“I live in Hickory. That’s part of the reason I decided to open here,” said Lee Ann Miller, the owner.

Her shop – or shoppe – had been in Tanger Outlets for more than three years, before departing two summers ago. “I thought about another retail area, then I thought, ‘No, I’ll go to a local area,'” said Miller, who has spent about 10 years in the candy-fudge industry.

The area she selected did not have a candy store and, of course, is in a region rife with well sites and hungry, hot and thirsty workers, so the shop has a foundation for success.

Walking in and purchasing a delightful goody is only part of Miller’s enterprise. She also has gift baskets, corporate gifts and favors (weddings, bridal and baby showers), and offers fund-raising opportunities.

Simply Sweet’s fare also includes chocolate-covered strawberries and apples dipped in caramel and Begian chocolate. And, probably within two weeks, Miller will have a display case filled with ice cream cakes.

There are no name-brand candies, no Hershey’s, Kit Kats or Milky Ways.

Miller, originally from Bridgeville, said samples are available to all customers. “Once they try it,” she said, “they’ll just love it. We’re using the highest-quality products, and I think that makes a difference.”

She plans to be open most holidays, the exceptions being Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Miller makes the candy along with another person and has three other employees – her daughters.

To this point, it has been a sweet experience for the owner.

“So far, the town of Hickory has been responsive.”