Success Story - Cravin's Candy Emporium

Cravin’s Candy Emporium is a neighborhood candy store and gelato shop in East Boise; a place that is a fun experience for all ages filled with nostalgic candy, chocolates, gelato ice cream, novelties, and gifts. With an adventure around every corner, our customers can rediscover candies from their childhood and get that treat they’ve been Cravin’.

Debbie and Joe purchased the Powell’s franchise in 2006 and opened January 11, 2007. They then bought the business and started Cravin’s Candy Emporium in 2016. Cravin’s Candy Emporium is a neighborhood of candy stores and gelato shops. Joe and Debbie’s aim is to create a fun experience for all ages filled with nostalgic candy, chocolates, gelato ice cream, novelties and gifts. Cravin’s Candy Emporium is a Main Street type of business in family neighborhoods where it can be a place to interact with each other and create a fun friendly atmosphere. All products are locally made and shown through creative displays. There is something for everyone.

“The knowledge our SBDC business counselor provided really made us feel in control of our business more than ever. We were most fortunate to have been made aware of so many opportunities through SBDC to further promote our business.”

Locations – We’ve learned that there is power in numbers. By opening up this second location in Meridian ID and third location in Petaluma CA, we will be able to leverage better buying power with our candy suppliers and with vendors of our branded materials which further supports our philosophy of keeping costs down and experiences memorable.

Brand Awareness and Reputation – We are hands-on business owners. Over the past fourteen years we have implemented and developed store programs and have systems in place to successfully operate these stores.  Our business model is proven and successful. Our plan has always been to expand the business.  After completing the SBA Emerging Leaders program, we have been actively planning for this moment of scaling up our business. We are confident that given our experience, money management, personnel management, community involvement, brand reputation and continued growth, and connections we have made in the candy industry over the past 14 years that we will be successful.

Some notable awareness, press, and partnerships include:

• Over 1,000 Instagram followers
• Over 2100 Facebook followers with a 4.8/5 rating
• A 4.7 gold star rating from Google with over 360 reviews
• Trip Advisor ranked us the #4 spot out of 35 retail shopping experiences in Boise
• Featured in Jelly Belly Candy Company’s Newsletter (nationwide publication and extended to 40 additional countries)
• Featured on “Keeping It Local” with Dee Sarton Chanel 7 News
• Numerous other publications and features throughout our 14 years in business
• Community partnerships with local schools, the Library consortium, and St. Alphonsus Festival of Trees

“We feel very optimistic about the future. Our knowledge of the candy industry, the connections we’ve made in the industry, and our valuable sixteen years of running a successful business through economic highs and lows (not to mention a pandemic) has us very excited for more growth for our business.”