LANCASTER, Pa. — From Scandinavia to the internet to Lancaster, viral candy has made its way to central Pennsylvania.
Tyler Graybeal created Sweetish Candy in 2019 as a hub for imported candies. He says the pick-n-mix model hasn't quite taken off in the U.S. yet, but viral TikTok trends are introducing more and more Americans to the concept.
"[Graybeal] is very well-traveled in the Scandinavian region," Emily Bishop, wholesale sales coordinator at Sweetish Candy, said. "So he experienced what they call 'Saturday candy.' It's a Swedish tradition to go into a candy store on a Saturday, grab a variety of pick-n-mix candy, and then share it with your family. So he decided to bring that to Lancaster, Pennsylvania."
Two of the most popular types of candy found at the store include Bubs, a gummy candy, and Lakrids By Bulow, a Danish brand known for its licorice varieties.
"Eight out of 10 people think—think being the operative word—that they don't like licorice," Jennifer Donnellan, vice president of sales and business development at Lakrids by Bülow, said.
Lakrids by Bülow is the premiere gourmet confections company in the Nordics, Donnellan said. It specializes in gourmet licorice covered in chocolate.
"You're getting to that licorice center; it's made with molasses and real licorice root, not corn syrup and artificial anise seasoning," Donnellan said. "It's not your black jellybean."
Sweetish is expanding with a second location; the soft opening is today. The new shop is located right off of Route 30, with plenty of parking spaces and access to other businesses in the area. It can be found at 250 Granite Run Dr. in Lancaster and is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Sunday.
Sweetish Candy's original store can be found at 301 N. Queen St. in Lancaster and is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday - Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday.