New Reedley shop sells sweets made across the Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new candy and toy shop in Reedley is giving customers a new place to gather and enjoy sweets. Warm conversations and hot coffee are filling the atmosphere at Reedley's newest business, Sweet Destination.

"My dream for every person that walks through that door has a smile that's as big as the sun and just feels wonderful when they come in here," owner Shelly Henderson said. "But life is short and this has been a dream since I was a child to be a teacher and to own her own business."

After nine years of dreaming, the retired Dinuba High teacher opened her shop Monday and so far it's already becoming a popular place for customers looking for something special.

Sweet Destination is also providing a place to sell products grown, made and baked right here in the Valley like cupcakes from the Home Ec teacher at Dinuba High.

They sell Lanna Coffee from Fresno, tea from L T Sue Co. in Hanford and Stafford's Fine Chocolates from Porterville. The truffles are a highlight of many people's visits. The shop even has a special dipping room for treats.

"I want to support local people," Henderson said. "Big business is wonderful but has its place but the mom and pop operations are the backbone of America."

Local leaders said the new store is already attracting visitors.

"I think it's a draw for our whole community," Kimberly Hoff with the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce said. "Everybody is excited about having something new, something fun and something different."

They shop sells baby items and kids toys for shoppers. As for Shelly and her husband, they're enjoying this new sweet chapter in their lives.

"It's been crazy nuts but fabulous," Henderson said. "We just go home exhausted but with a smile on our face and hardly wait to wake up at 5 a.m. to get here by 7 a.m. to serve coffee."