Shelton Candy Shoppe joins Railroad resurgence

The "We're open" signs beckon from the sidewalk along the southern side of the 400 block of West Railroad Avenue in downtown Shelton. So does the water glistening in the metal dishes for dogs.

Three new businesses have opened on the block in recent months: Shelton Candy Shoppe, Mestizos Latin Food next door, and the Wilde Irish Pub. They join an already eclectic lineup: Fat Cat Coffee Shop, Cooper Studios, My Favorite Things Resale Shop, Cottontail Baby & Kids Resale, and the Mason County Historical Museum inside the former town hall.

Shelton Candy Shoppe debuted June 2, during the Mason County Forest Festival in the former home of the Bread of the Presence religious book and gift shop. Phillip Jackson and Kayla Cooper are partners in life and in a new business.

If the couple had followed their first vision, the block would have added a third resale store, to be dubbed The Landphil Thrift Shop. Instead, they turned to sweets.

"It's what the town needed," Jackson said.

The couple had to learn "everything," he said. "It's crazy finding supplies."

Cooper, the former owner of Zazzykat Soap Co. in downtown Shelton, said the couple chose treats from around the state: truffles from Spokane, fudge from Auburn, popcorn from Othello, chocolates from Seattle, and from Mason County, Olympic Ice Cream. The shop also offers vintage candies that persons of a certain age will remember, such as Bazooka bubble gum and Charleston Chew candy bars.

Jackson said people have told him they haven't ventured into downtown Shelton in years.

"The more people we can bring downtown, the better," he said.