Today we’d like to introduce you to David Zangenberg.
Hi David, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I Sold Cinnamon Glazed nuts off portable carts around the world for twenty three years. When Covid hit, I found myself without a job. Pat and Toni’s Sweet Things was a customer of mine and a favorite local store. Pat was ready to retire and I needed a job, so I bought one!
The prospect of buying a store in the middle of a pandemic was scary but I knew that with the local support we would survive. I called on all my friends in the Candy industry to help me get the store stocked up. When many retailer had empty shelves, we were able to fill up the store with treats that we both made and brought in from around the country like Jelly Belly, Albanese and other specialty Candy lines. We focused on retro candies and gummies having a huge variety of treats available. Fortunately for us this strategy paid off We created a WOW factor as soon as you walked in with a store that was stocked full of treats.
We took what was a great store and made it awesome. We increased the in-store made chocolate offerings by 30% and added an espresso machine so we could make coffee treats . We added Ice cream items such as EXTREME Shakes, Ice Cream Nachos and Acai Bowls. This has all been well received by the community and we have been rewarded by being voted BEST OF FLORIDA in 2023 and 2024.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggle was getting through Covid. Fortunately people still had a Sweet tooth! Getting product to sell with shortages was a challenge. The lasting impact of the pandemic left us with a global chocolate shortage. Due to delays in supply chain and production, we have seen a global price increase of 300% for couverture chocolate. We have done our best to handle these increases while limiting the effect to the consumer and keeping our prices fair.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Candy, Candy, Candy! We make the finest most delicious treats including : turtles, truffles, Fudge, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Pralines, Chocolate Barks, etc.
Most proud of the overall offerings and become a staple in the community of Deland as well as many who travel from around Fl to see us.
We are family owned, we have a great staff , an incredible location in a 100 year old historic building and great Candy and Ice Cream
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes, stay the course, common sense will prevail. Support people who will not prevent you from doing business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.patandtonissweetthings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patandtonissweetthings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatandTonisSweetThings/
