A Bethesda couple plans to open a chocolate, ice cream and candy shop in Woodmont Triangle.
Tom and Patty Craver said they hope to open Henry’s Sweet Retreat, named after Tom’s grandfather, in June at 4823 St. Elmo Ave.
Patty Craver said Friday the couple saw a lack of candy stores in the area and hope to bring “a modern take on an Old World candy store” to Bethesda.
“We don’t believe Washington is as sour as its dearth of candy stores,” Tom Craver said. “We really feel like there’s a market opportunity here we can take advantage of.”
In January, Sugarfina—a self-proclaimed “candy store for grown-ups,” opened in Bethesda Row. The Los Angeles-based chain offers boxes of hazelnut candies imported from Italy and gummies from Germany with starting prices of $7. “Bento boxes” filled with alcohol-flavored chocolates are priced at $28.
The Cravers, who live in the Edgemoor neighborhood and whose kids attend Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, said they’re striving for something a little more family-oriented.
The space, which is about 1,000 square feet with a 500-square-foot mezzanine level, will be available for kids’ birthday parties or other special events. The shop will have a bakery component offering scones, cinnamon buns, cupcakes, shortcakes and desserts.
The last tenant in the space was also kid-oriented, a New Jersey-based retailer that sold clothes, equipment and accessories for summer camp-goers.
“Kids will have any and all sweets that appeal to them,” Tom Craver said. “Maybe mom and dad could have an after-dinner drink.”
“We’re excited and we hope we have the community support,” Patty Craver added.
With reporting from Andrew Metcalf
