Andy Day always wanted to open a candy store. Next year, he’ll have done just that.
“I’ve always sort of fantasized about doing this, and I turned 50 this year, and decided that I was ready to strike off on my own and do my own thing, and started putting the plan together, and got a lot of positive feedback, so I went for it,” Day said.
Day is working toward opening Oh, Grow Up!, a candy shop, at 21 Central St. early next year.
The store is slated to be the latest eatery in Bangor following a taco restaurant and an ice-cream shop that opened this fall. Day, who previously worked at restaurants but hasn’t owned a business before, said Oh, Grow Up! will fill a hole of sweet shops in greater Bangor while becoming the newest offering downtown.
The store will feature a pick-your-own-candy wall that includes gummies, sours and chocolate, along with other sweets. Individual treats will also be available, but the wall will be the “main focus” that people see through the window, he said.
He’s looking into multiple distributors for candy, but hasn’t decided on one yet. Local options are “not out of the question,” Day said.
Gifts, retro items and “anything that makes people smile or laugh” will fill the other shelves, he said.
Part of his reasoning for opening in Bangor, other than that he has worked downtown for many years, is the lack of a confectionery option. Offering sweets downtown is a good match with the other businesses around and what Day said he sees the shop being.
“Not only is there not one downtown, but there really isn’t one within like a 20-mile radius. I think it’s going to complement the scene and and I think the scene will complement the store,” he said.
Day wanted to open before Christmas but is now hoping the store will be open by January. The delays are because the location hasn’t been used since 2018 and needed a complete overhaul, which is more work than he said he expected.
Flooring has been replaced, walls have been painted and the space is being designed to how Day wants to use it, including a mezzanine that he sees people relaxing and spending time in.
“I have an old Atari that I’m going to hook up there with a couch, so that’ll just be kind of a space to sort of hang and have a bit more of an immersive experience,” Day said.
Despite all the work going into the space, Day said he’s still excited to open the shop that he’s wanted to run for years.
“I think it’s going to be a really fun addition to downtown,” Day said.
