New business sells sweetness

June 11, 2014 at 5:00 a.m.

by Mike Eckels [email protected]

Photo by Mike Eckels With members of the Gravette Chamber of Commerce in the background, civic leaders help Julene Stout cut the ribbon, formally opening Keller’s Candies on May 29 in downtown Gravette. Amanda Sittlein (far left) and Morgan Black (far right) hold the ribbon while Mike Von Ree (left), Mayor Bryon Warren, Chamber president Kurt Maddox, Julene Keller Stout, Vivian Keller and Bill Keller cut the ribbon.
Photo by Mike Eckels With members of the Gravette Chamber of Commerce in the background, civic leaders help Julene Stout cut the ribbon, formally opening Keller’s Candies on May 29 in downtown Gravette. Amanda Sittlein (far left) and Morgan Black (far right) hold the ribbon while Mike Von Ree (left), Mayor Bryon Warren, Chamber president Kurt Maddox, Julene Keller Stout, Vivian Keller and Bill Keller cut the ribbon.

Candy store opens on Gravette Main Street.

GRAVETTE -- A new business that promises to be a sweet addition to downtown Gravette opened to the public May 29.

Keller's Candies, located at 121 Main S.E., celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony sponsored by the Gravette Chamber of Commerce. Owner Julene Keller Stout, with her parents Bill and Vivian Keller at her side, cut the ribbon, opening a new chapter in downtown Gravette.

"It has been a long time in coming, but the candy store is now a reality," Stout said. "I'm glad to be in Gravette and a part of the downtown area."

For Stout, the dream of operating a candy store began with her grandparents in the early 1900s.

"I copied my grandmother's recipes right down to turning the candy by hand on the set pan," Stout explained. "Our candies taste better then the factory-made product. The hands-on approach makes a big difference in the quality of our product."

Keller's Candies features handmade caramels, pecan snappers, fudges, peanut brittle and handmade marshmallows.

The business skipped a generation when father Bill decided to pursue other ventures.

"I worked for my parents when I was younger," Keller stated. "When I was old enough, I decided that I had had my fill of candy and went on to other interests."

"How do you keep employees from eating the product?" a chamber member asked of the elder Keller.

"We let the employees eat as much candy as they like," Keller explained with a smile. "After about a week, they get so sick of eating candy that they don't want anymore. Problem solved."

Stout opened the business to online orders and to the Farmer's Market in Bella Vista back in December of 2013. The May 29 ribbon cutting ceremony marks the opening of store sales to the public.

"Keller's Candies will make a nice addition to downtown Gravette," Kurt Maddox, chamber president, said. "We hope it will encourage other businesses to the Main Street area."

To see the complete product line, go to www.kellercandies.com or call 479-586-1491.

General News on 06/11/2014