LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A candy store that has been a fixture in downtown Jeffersonville for more than 134 years is looking ahead to three big milestones in November.
According to a news release, the public is invited to attend Schimpff's Confectionary's celebration planned for Friday, Nov. 7 to mark the milestones:
- Schimpff's being named the Best Candy Store in America by USA Today
- Warren and Jill Schimpff's 35th year of owning and running the business
- The passing of the torch to 5th generation candy maker 'Cousin Steve'
The celebration at Schimpff's -- which is famous for its Red Hots -- will include a look back at the evolution of Schimpff's Confectionery through the years. A ribbon-cutting is planned along with speakers including Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore and other local officials. The team from Schimpff's will also have demonstrations on how to make Red Hots throughout the day, and there will be samples for the crowd.
The celebration is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. in front of the store at 347 Spring Street in Downtown Jeffersonville. The street will be closed for the event. Schimpff's plans to thank its customers and friends during the event.
"We have been blessed to do something we love in a city we love," said Warren Schimpff, who owns the business along with his wife, Jill.
"Schimpff's has been in business since 1891, and we got the opportunity to carry on that tradition for 35 of those years," Warren said. "We couldn't have done it without the countless, loyal customers and friends we've made. It was the Red Hot on top of the sundae to be named the Best Candy Store in America this summer, and we feel now is the time to pass the candy-making aprons on to the next generation of family who will run the business, Cousin Steve Shepherd and his wife Beth."
USA Today nominated several independent candy stores from across the country for the contest, and then hosted online voting to determine the public's pick for best in the nation. Schimpff's earned the most votes nationwide, with comments from other countries from Sweden to Germany.
Steve Shepherd -- affectionately known as 'Cousin Steve' -- is the fifth generation of the Schimpff's family to run the business. He said in the news release that he's excited and honored to be carrying on the sweet candy-making tradition.
"I get to make candy for a living and it's a lot of fun," he said. "It's been amazing learning the craft of candy-making from Warren and Jill, but another joy has been getting to meet so many wonderful people from across the world that make the shop even sweeter."
Schimpff's customers will receive a free 2-oz. bag of Red Hots with each purchase on Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8. Free parking is available on the street and at the lot at the corner of Spring and Chestnut Street near the shop.
Schimpff's Confectionery is one of the oldest continuously operated, family-owned candy businesses in the country. It sells a wide variety of sweets, including chocolates, toffee and Modjeskas. It also features a deli lunch counter and an authentic 1950s soda fountain and a candy museum.
Related Coverage:
Jeffersonville's Schimpff's Confectionery wins national candy store award
Schimpff's Confectionary in Jeffersonville celebrates 134 years of sweet success
Mr. Jelly Belly bench gifted to Schimpff's Confectionery in Jeffersonville
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