“Because chocolate calls the shots.”
Loveland, Ohio – Unicorn Bark, Penny Candy, Salted Caramel Chip Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Banana Bark, Berry Berry Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Covered Race Cars are just a few of the unique delicacies Loveland Sweets offers that keeps guests all across Ohio coming back for more.
Loveland Sweets started its delicious adventure in 2006 when resident Gloria Wilson opened its doors.
“I had always had a dream in the back of my mind that involved opening a candy store,” Wilson said, “Every time I went on vacation I always searched for a candy store and when I moved to Loveland I realized it had that same vacation feeling with the bike trail, the restaurants, the beautiful scenery – the only thing missing was a candy store so I thought why not open a candy store!”
Although Wilson’s background was in Environmental Science and Biology that did not scare her away from the idea of owning her own business.
To be quite honest I had no business plan I just had a dream and at that moment in my life it was time to pursue it.
“I didn’t have a business background but I learned a lot from the landscaping business I was in before as a landscape designer. To be quite honest I had no business plan I just had a dream and at that moment in my life it was time to pursue it,” Wilson said.
Loveland Sweets is not only known of course for its novelty sweets but it’s also known for its unique chocolates and ice cream combinations. Loveland Sweets uses high quality fine chocolate and only the best ingredients when creating the fillings to their chocolates and ice cream blends.
“A lot of businesses use cheaper chocolate, but I don’t do that. I know it reduces my profit margin, but I don’t want to do less than the best chocolate,” Wilson explained, “The chocolate I use is Callebaut and I make all my fillings from scratch. We don’t necessarily use a certain process when creating our chocolate because chocolate calls the shots. We temper the chocolate. Our combinations are where we use our creative side. They are sometimes inspired by something else like our Unicorn Bark! Sandy my co-worker saw this in a magazine and we thought why not try it out! We did a new one today called Peanut Butter Banana Bark. I was at Trader Joes saw the dehydrated bananas and I was like we can do something with this,” Wilson said.
So just how did Gloria come up with the Loveland Sweets name? It’s simple everyone just loves the Loveland name on their candy! I mean Loveland is the Sweetheart of Ohio!
So just how did Gloria come up with the Loveland Sweets name? It’s simple everyone just loves the Loveland name on their candy! I mean Loveland is the Sweetheart of Ohio!
“When I was trying to figure out a name for my candy shop I got out a notebook wrote lots of names and settled on Loveland Sweets not realizing people love the name Loveland. People want to be sure that the name Loveland is on their box of candies or sweets. It’s especially big with weddings,” Wilson said.
The obvious reason for going to Loveland Sweets is to of course experience its handmade chocolate creations, create your own goodie bag for the kids full of sweet and sour gummies or get a warm cup of their custom blend coffee, but another reason to stop by is to take a look at the old fashion candy store décor.
“When I was first opening the store I wanted it to look old fashion with a modern twist but not too modern. I love the penny candy and the race cars and of course the old fashion drawers,” Wilson said, “When people come into my store I want them to see my creative side that’s my favorite part of this it’s the creativity aspect of owning my own business. I want to celebrate a simple pleasure with those that visit my store. Candy makes people happy. It’s a celebration of happiness, like my ice cream castles in my front windows. I want my guests not only to enjoy my candy but also enjoy the experience they have when visiting my store,” Wilson said.
Loveland Sweets is now known as one of Downtown Historic Loveland’s top go to spots for both travelers and residents when exploring the Downtown Loveland area.
There are not a lot of people making their candy and ice cream on site anymore.
“I think what really keeps people coming to my shop is that it’s not a chain. So many places are chains all across America. It’s homogeneous. Loveland Sweets is unique. We make our stuff in house where as a lot of places do not do that. There are not a lot of people making their candy and ice cream on site anymore. This is what keeps out of towners and locals coming back,” Wilson explained. “You really get to know people! I find myself saying things like ‘Oh is the dark chocolate almond guy coming in!’ You know people by their favorites!”
Though Wilson has dedicated her life to sweetening her guest’s day she hasn’t forgot about her environmental background trying to bring that passion to the sweets business as well.
“Plastics are a nightmare so I have brought in pink paper bags that are paper made from a bi product of sugar cane. Our ice cream cups, paper straws, plastic cups and spoons are made from corn. My transition into being completely plastic free is not perfect yet but I’m trying to minimize the use of it as much as I can,” Wilson said.
“Plastics are a nightmare so I have brought in pink paper bags that are paper made from a bi product of sugar cane. Our ice cream cups, paper straws, plastic cups and spoons are made from corn. My transition into being completely plastic free is not perfect yet but I’m trying to minimize the use of it as much as I can,” Wilson said. “The young people that work for me reinforce my environmental friendly ideas and I want to make an impact on them. We recycle and we compost our coffee grounds as well.”
If your wandering around Downtown Loveland and are looking for something unique to satisfy that sweet tooth skip on over to
Loveland Sweets to visit Gloria and her team of confectionery geniuses! Loveland Sweets is located at 124 West Loveland Avenue and is open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day. If you would like to contact Loveland Sweets or check out their beautiful products, visit Loveland Sweets on Facebook or Instagram or call 513-583-8305.
