'Sweet Gestures'
MARS — Lollipops, gummies, chocolate bars, soft chews and hard candies — just some of the sweets that can be found in the rainbow of Mars Candy Land.
Pammie Vivirito, who opened the Grand Avenue candy shop May 1, decided to become a seller of confections after 23 years as a hair dresser.
“I love working with people,” Vivirito said. “I wanted to do something fun.”
She also wanted to do something that fostered community and promoted kindness.
Aside from selling nostalgic, novelty and cotton candy, Mars Candy Land is the birthplace of the Kindness Candy Board.
Vivirito said she developed the Kindness Candy Board after a customer in early May started to check out and realized she didn't have any money.
Seeing the customer's distress, Vivirito told her she could have the candy for free.
“The philosophy is community,” Vivirito said. “You always pay it forward.”
Days later, the customer returned with $5. The free candy lifted her spirits on a bad day, according to Vivirito, and she wanted to show others the same kindness.
The money went on the Kindness Candy Board, along with other dry erase “money stickers.”
Vivirito said now when a child walks into the store and doesn't have enough money to buy candy, he or she can erase a sticker and use the amount toward the purchase.
“Candy is just that one thing that makes people smile,” Vivirito said. “No matter what is going on, this (store) is like a piece of happiness.”
Vivirito said the response has been “overwhelming,” and not just for the candy.
Since posting the Kindness Candy Board on Tuesday, several children have used it and several adults have contributed to it.Vivirito said she's even had some children who used the board say they'll come back to give money to someone else.“The kids in Mars have just been awesome,” Vivirito said. “There's something about a candy store.”Vivirito tries to generate a spirit of community and goodwill in other ways too.Mars Candy Land offers candy bouquets for gifts and events.This month, Vivirito partnered with Dented Keg Brewing Company for a candy bouquet giveaway.Vivirito said the giveaway raises money for Dented Keg's behind-the-scenes staff, who have kept the company running throughout the pandemic.Dented Keg patrons are invited to leave a donation in exchange for a chance to win the candy bouquets in June.It's a wonderful example of businesses working together, according to Vivirito.Whether it's complimentary lollipops from Sparky the Horse or rides on Seymour the Dinosaur, she wants Mars Candy Land to be a place where people remember the best parts of childhood.
For Vivirito, Wacky Wafers strike important memories of growing up.“Wacky Wafers were probably just one of the first candies that stuck 'nostalgic' in my brain,” Vivirito said.She said she decided to open her shop on Grand Avenue to “bring new life to Mars.”She believes building a society where neighbors help neighbors begins by setting examples — and setting them specifically for children.“It's all about getting this area brightened up,” Vivirito said. “It starts with our kids.”
