The most magical time of year is near and a Stratford candy shop that makes the holidays even more enchanting is ready to welcome people of all ages. The Rhéo Thompson Candies Team spend months planning and are excited to welcome visitors to the store’s annual winter wonderland.
Founded in 1969, Rhéo Thompson Candies has been creating memories for families for generations. “We take Christmas and the holidays very seriously here,” says Robyn Lusk, the company’s marketing and communications coordinator. “We create a winter wonderland at the store starting at the beginning of November with all sorts of delightful elements. We have often been compared to Bloomingdale’s or Macy’s from the 1950s with our classic displays.”
Lusk says along with the company’s handmade candy, Rhéo Thompson Candies is also well known for its gifts. “We have a team that spends months planning and executing gift lines,” Lusk says. “From ornaments to home decor to toys, each gift is also paired with a confectionary item.” She says staff love to hear stories from customers about their annual traditions involving Rhéo Thompson Candies. “Sometimes a family will put a box of our chocolates under the tree and as they’re opening gifts, they’ll share the candy. Trips to the shop for items may have started with grandma but now her grandson is carrying on the tradition.”
Lusk says the company’s snack products such as licorice, caramel popcorn and almond buttercrisp have been selling extremely well in the last year and make great stocking stuffers. Of course the iconic Mint Smoothie® chocolate, created in 1971, is still the most popular item in the store and will be this season, too. It has now inspired ice cream, liqueur and coffee products sold by area artisans, she says.
This will be the first holiday season for the company’s new owners, Lindsay McLeod and Mark Straus. Their focus this Christmas is on tradition.
“They want people to experience what they remember from years past at Rhéo’s,” says Lusk. The annual Scotch and Chocolate Pairing event will continue at the Stratford Country Club and is set for November 29. “People sip Scotch and different whiskies and we pair them with our chocolate. It’s a fun event.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND
A LIST OF OUR RETAIL PARTNERS
Rhéo Thompson Candies
55 Albert St., Stratford
1-888-271-6910
rhéothompson.com
