Pendleton Candy Company has gone from South Carolina’s best-kept secret to the bright lights of New York City.
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PENDLETON, S.C. —
Pendleton Candy Company has gone from South Carolina’s best-kept secret to the bright lights of New York City. The family-owned shop, which opened in 2023, has already been recognized as the 2024 South Carolina Traveling Tourism Best of Candy Stores and was named one of the best candy shops in the southern states by Southern Living magazine. And just when the family thought things couldn’t get any sweeter, they found themselves on a billboard in Times Square.
“One of our candy distributors — we sold the most product in August — and they told us, ‘You won a billboard in Times Square.’ And we were like, ‘Oh, OK.’ We thought it was a scam,” said Kimberly Blackwell, owner of the Pendleton Candy Company.
The shop’s success has been built on customer relationships, passion, persistence, and attention to detail, according to Blackwell.
“We just have the best customers. We have loyal, sweet customers. The first time they come in, they’re a stranger, but they always leave a friend. And my daughter puts little handwritten notes in their bags,” she said.
Inside the shop, Kimberly’s daughter, Claire Blackwell, greets every customer with excitement and care. For Claire, it’s about more than selling candy — it’s about connection.
“Hey, welcome in! They come in and tell us about their day. It’s important to show them that you actually care that they’re telling you about their day. So, I like to write a little something to show, ‘Hey, I was listening,’” Claire said.
The baked goods are all homemade.
“It’s a lot of hours, especially at Christmas,” Kimberly said.
For this mother-daughter duo, the effort is worth it. Kimberly said that every detail matters when creating their treats, as they know their customers often share them during meaningful moments.
“You don’t know who is going to get this. It could be a grandmother that’s sick in the hospital, could be somebody that lost their dad. But when they get this box and it’s beautiful and tied up, it makes their day,” she said.
For now, Pendleton Candy Company’s treats are available in-store, but may possibly be a click away. The family may eventually share their sweets beyond their South Carolina community.
“We just started doing some shipping, so we’re kind of experimenting with that,” Kimberly said.