By now, many of us in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood have visited our new candy store. Opening in November, it has been a very popular destination – especially during the holidays with their huge selection of treats.
What most of us don’t know is the background of the store, its remarkable owner, and the way Hattie’s got its name – which makes this cool and unique store all the more interesting.
Tricia Leahy first started in the candy business nearly 10 years ago – without any retail experience. A chemistry major, she wasn’t finding her laboratory job to be as interesting and challenging as she had hoped. Tricia had grown up with a love of baking, fostered by fond memories of holidays at her grandmother’s house and the incredible homemade candy and treats that she made. She quit her job and purchased Sweets, Etc. in Multnomah Village and hasn’t looked back since.
Tricia has built her business upon the same ideals that her grandmother, Hattie, lived her life by: duty, responsibility, and commitment. As a child of the Depression, Hattie was well acquainted with hardship but determined to build a happy home and take care of her family. Her gifts were cooking, baking, and candy making (especially her fudge), and through these activities she expressed her love for those around her. Inspired by her grandmother and utilizing her knowledge of chemistry, Tricia continues to create new and incredible takes on her grandmother’s fudge. I brought peppermint and peanut butter flavors to a holiday party and they were gone within a couple of minutes!
After building Sweets, Inc. into a successful business, Tricia began looking to expand and open another store. With several friends in the area suggesting the neighborhood, Tricia came to the decision that Fremont would be a perfect spot to make her move. In honor of her kind-hearted grandmother, Hattie’s was born.
The fudge alone would be worth stopping in for, but Hattie’s has quite a bit more that you have to see to believe. With a wide selection of hand-dipped chocolates, rows and rows of jelly beans, taffy, lollipops, and a great selection of retro candies that you probably didn’t know were still in production, this is the perfect place to pick up treats for any occasion.
If you stop in through April and mention this article, Hattie’s will give you a 10% discount on Easter items.
Hattie’s Sweet Shop • 4815 NE Fremont • Portland, OR 97213