In addition to their handmade chocolate that is crafted from techniques that date back 100 years, the sweetest thing about Veni’s Sweet Shop, 228 E. Main St., Niles is the variety of holiday treats the shop is known for.
On a Friday afternoon, general manager Linda Skwarcan, who has worked for Veni’s since 2008, was about to mix up a fresh batch of caramel for the holiday inspired apples.
Each of Veni’s chocolate candies is created from house-made chocolate, cooked in small batches in the kitchen, which causes the delicious chocolate smell that pervades the entire Main Street block.
Each piece of candy is molded individually in the dipping room. Veni’s takes pride in products made only with pure chocolate, free of additives or waxes. Skwarcan said this makes for fresh tasting candy that draws people back to the store time and again.
Among the most popular holiday items are the chocolate Santas, which come in a milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate form. The Santas range in price depending on their size. Skwarcan said the business sells hundreds each year.
The store offers a variety of stocking stuffer items at a couple dollars each, including chocolate snowflakes, snowmen, nutcracker soldiers and novelty items like the popular reindeer’s noses, chocolate malt balls, that contain one red colored candy to represent the nose of Rudolph, sold for $2.95 a package.
Other novelty items sold for between $1.75 and $4 are Christmas tree rice crispy treats, chocolate colored pretzels dusted with red and green sprinkles and individual holiday chocolates with a greeting printed along the top. There are also boxes filled with an assortment of candies and peppermint bark.
While these popular treats have remained tradition for as long as Skwarcan can remember, the candy shop is always trying to think of new holiday treats.
“Throughout the year, we always look for new ideas,” she said. “We go to a couple of confectioners shows each year, brainstorm with other people in the industry.”
The result is a host of unique creations that a candy lover is not likely to find anywhere else. One such creation is the the gold-colored candies with frankincense flavoring. Skwarcan said Veni’s first started making the candies a couple of years ago, after an essential oil company in New York called Enfluerage sent them a batch of frankincense oil and asked them to make a candy.
“I am not exactly sure how they found us, but I am glad that they did,” Skwaracn said.
The candy got such a good response that Veni’s started making it and selling it in store. Today customers can purchase the gold-colored candies around the holidays for $3.95 a box. The candies have a touch of herbal and citrus flavors and are supposed to also have a calming effect.
After running Veni’s for eight years, Skwarcan said she still enjoys just how much their products can brighten someone’s day.
“Everybody loves chocolate from little children on up,” Skwarcan said. “We make gift giving very, very easy.”