Touch the Moon Candy Opens in East Library
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- With three other stores throughout Youngstown, Touch the Moon Candy Saloon officially opened its newest branch Thursday at East Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
This candy store, which also has branches in Covelli Centre and on South Phelps Street in the downtown, has been open since May 1.
“We wanted to get a feel for everything in the neighborhood and for our clients, getting them used to coming to the library,” says Sonya Danks, special programs coordinator for Iron and String Life Enhancement. “This is our neighborhood. We have an office down the street along with a day program, so it's just around the corner from our office. It feels like home to us.”
ISLE is also the parent of the Golden String and Purple Cat organizations, who work with adults and children with special needs. Purple Cat and Golden String clients and employees comprise the staff of all Touch the Moon stores.
“Touch the Moon Candy Saloon was created for job creation for our clients,” Danks says. “The big thing is just getting our clients into the community … [the library] accepts us here and nobody's ever told us to be quiet. It brings [our clients] out and gets them into the community.”
Among the clients of the Purple Cat working at the store yesterday morning was Patrick Gawne, visibly excited for his first chance to work behind the register.
“I'm helping out running the place and helping sell candy. It's something I've always wanted to do, working behind a cash register,” he said. “I love it here. I like working with money … I want to do the best I can and do what I can to help people out.”
Before Touch the Moon moved in, the cafe area of the East Library had been vacant since the delicatessen that occupied the space closed. Chris Russo, a Golden String employee, said that the library approached the organization and invited it open the store.
“We were approached by the library and asked if we could do something,” she said. “They had an open spot. There was a deli counter here and it wasn't really working so we thought, 'Why not a candy store? Everyone loves candy.' ”
In a press release, the executive director of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, Heidi Daniel, said the store would benefit both groups.
“It is so gratifying to be able to offer this service to our customers, while assisting an organization which is providing such a valuable service to area residents,” Daniel said.
Pictured: Patrick Gawne, Chris Russo and Sonya Danks greet customers at the new Touch the Moon Candy Saloon in the East branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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