The outside of Eagle River Candy and Gifts is unassuming, a banner sign hung over white brick. But inside, there's nothing unassuming about the variety of candy, popcorn, and various other goods on offer.
Eagle River Candy and Gifts has been open for over three years. In a spin on the traditional "mom and pop" model, Sherrie Allen and her son Matt own the store together, making their own hand-dipped chocolates in a small kitchen in the back of the store. Not that Pop doesn't help out occasionally. Matt says that both his father, David, and his wife, Andrea, come down to the store and help make chocolate during busy seasons. There's certainly something for every sweet tooth here, from kettle corn to fruit flavored candies, and of course the handmade chocolates.
Sherrie, a former employee and later owner of the now-defunct McGill's Candy and Nuts in the Northway Mall, and Matt, a former longtime employee of Wells Fargo and graduate of Chugiak High School, opened Eagle River Candy and Gifts after business in the mall slowed down.
"She's always wanted to open up a store out here," Matt says of his mother.
The store may be familiar to Eagle River residents, even if they don't realize it. It was initially located on Eagle River Loop Road, but had to vacate after construction took away the parking lot. Then, after a stint next to Carrs' Eagle River location, they opened in their current location just before Easter of last year. Matt says business at the new location has been brisk, especially over the Christmas season. Much of the store still contains remnants of the holidays, but Matt says that they'll soon switch their inventory to more Valentine's Day-themed merchandise.
The pricing for the handmade goods is uniform: A quarter-pound of any in-house chocolate is $4.50. Matt says their three highest sellers are their English toffee, the Tiger Bar (a creamy blend of peanut butter and white and milk chocolates), and their chocolate-covered marshmallow. "As far as I know, we're the only place in the state that makes their own marshmallow," Matt says.
Other candies will run $2.25 or more for a quarter-pound. They also offer variety boxes of different sizes, up to one pound for $17.99, and can create gift baskets upon request. In the "gifts" department, there is a selection of stuffed animals, mugs, and Alaska-themed woodworks, among others. They've begun offering online ordering, though Matt says the website is an ongoing project, and generally only ships within the U.S. at this time.