https://jcarmels.com/ Sweet treats, seasonal delights, and candy shop news en Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:19:32 GMT https://jcarmels.com/mall-candy-store-oral-history/ https://jcarmels.com/mall-candy-store-oral-history/ Before the candy store moved online, it lived between the pretzel stand and the shoe department. We talked to former mall shop employees, a fudge kettle veteran, and the customers who still make the pilgrimage to find out what we lost — and what's still open. J. Carmels Industry Trends Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:06:44 GMT https://jcarmels.com/kansas-town-reopens-candy-counter/ https://jcarmels.com/kansas-town-reopens-candy-counter/ When the only candy counter in Wabaunsee, Kansas went dark, the town didn't just lose its sweets—it lost its living room. Here's the story of the regulars who refused to let it stay closed, and the young family who bet everything on reopening it. J. Carmels Industry Trends Tue, 03 Nov 2026 12:05:55 GMT https://jcarmels.com/experimental-caramel-flavor-taste-test/ https://jcarmels.com/experimental-caramel-flavor-taste-test/ Smoked salt in Portland, chili-lime in Texas, even a caramel made with brown butter and miso — artisan makers are dragging the classic chew into strange new territory. We tasted the trendiest versions so you don't have to guess which ones are worth gifting. J. Carmels Gift Guide Tue, 03 Nov 2026 08:08:30 GMT https://jcarmels.com/candy-shop-owners-buying-secrets/ https://jcarmels.com/candy-shop-owners-buying-secrets/ We called up candy shop owners from Vermont to Oregon and asked a simple question: what do you wish customers knew before they bought? Their answers — about freshness, hidden gems, and the display pieces that are more decoration than dessert — might change how you shop forever. J. Carmels Industry Trends Tue, 03 Nov 2026 08:08:30 GMT https://jcarmels.com/behind-the-bulk-bins-candy-aisle-economics/ https://jcarmels.com/behind-the-bulk-bins-candy-aisle-economics/ Ever wonder why your corner candy shop stocks the same forty treats year after year? We talked to shop owners and distributors about the quiet economics — minimum orders, regional taste data, and shelf math — that keep gummy bears on top while flashy newcomers fade fast. J. Carmels Industry Trends Tue, 03 Nov 2026 04:12:21 GMT https://jcarmels.com/birthday-candy-by-decade-goody-bag-history/ https://jcarmels.com/birthday-candy-by-decade-goody-bag-history/ From penny candy pouches in 1950 to freeze-dried everything right now, the birthday goody bag is a time capsule you can actually eat. Here's a decade-by-decade tour — plus a cheat sheet for throwing a candy-themed party that spans the whole timeline. J. Carmels Gift Guide Tue, 03 Nov 2026 04:12:21 GMT https://jcarmels.com/one-treat-per-state-gas-station-candy-road-map/ https://jcarmels.com/one-treat-per-state-gas-station-candy-road-map/ Skip the big-box candy aisle and pull over at the next roadside stop. From huckleberry taffy in Idaho to pralines wrapped in wax paper down South, America's gas station racks are quietly preserving candy traditions the supermarkets forgot. J. Carmels Industry Trends Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:10:32 GMT https://jcarmels.com/six-temperatures-cooked-sugar-field-guide/ https://jcarmels.com/six-temperatures-cooked-sugar-field-guide/ Burned your first batch of brittle? Welcome to the club — every great candy maker has a smoke-detector story. This guide breaks down the six stages of cooked sugar, from thread to hard crack, so your next batch of caramels or toffee comes out exactly right. J. Carmels Gift Guide Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:10:32 GMT https://jcarmels.com/five-day-candy-countdown-christmas/ https://jcarmels.com/five-day-candy-countdown-christmas/ Staring down a half-wrapped shopping list with five days on the clock? This day-by-day candy gifting plan pairs easy shop-bought sweets with presentation tricks — tins, cellophane, and a little kitchen magic — so nobody suspects you procrastinated. J. Carmels Gift Guide Mon, 02 Nov 2026 20:12:30 GMT https://jcarmels.com/what-happens-candy-aisle-january/ https://jcarmels.com/what-happens-candy-aisle-january/ Ever wonder why the caramels you loved in October vanish by Valentine's Day? We talked to candy buyers and brand reps about the annual shelf shuffle — and what you can do when a favorite disappears for good. J. Carmels Industry Trends Mon, 02 Nov 2026 20:12:29 GMT https://jcarmels.com/discontinued-candies-readers-miss-most/ https://jcarmels.com/discontinued-candies-readers-miss-most/ We asked, you answered — loudly. From ribbon candy to caramel apple pops, here are the discontinued sweets our readers can't stop mourning, plus where to hunt down dupes, vintage recipes, and workarounds for your candy dish. J. Carmels Gift Guide Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:12:39 GMT https://jcarmels.com/maple-americas-real-fall-flavor/ https://jcarmels.com/maple-americas-real-fall-flavor/ Pumpkin spice gets the headlines, but maple has been quietly flavoring American autumns for centuries. We talk to small-batch makers about why maple candy is having a moment — and round up the confections worth grabbing before sugaring season hype fades. J. Carmels Industry Trends Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:12:39 GMT https://jcarmels.com/copper-pot-revival-handmade-caramel-gen-z/ https://jcarmels.com/copper-pot-revival-handmade-caramel-gen-z/ Small-batch candy kitchens are having a moment, and Gen Z is leading the charge. We look at why traditional caramel counters are thriving again — and how to spot the real deal. J. Carmels Industry Trends Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:12:40 GMT https://jcarmels.com/candy-shop-gifts-better-than-flowers/ https://jcarmels.com/candy-shop-gifts-better-than-flowers/ Flowers wilt by Thursday. A well-chosen box of candy shop treasures lasts, delights, and shows real thought. Here are seven picks for every occasion and budget. J. Carmels Gift Guide Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:12:40 GMT