Weiser’s candy shop gets a new look

 Serving the needs of Weiser’s sweet tooth for nearly 20 years under the business name Weiser Classic Candy and Deli, the longstanding downtown corner confectionery reopened this week with an entirely new look and ambiance.

 The shop’s owner Patrick Nauman closed the shop late on April 24 for a complete interior remodel, reopening early Tuesday, May 6, for an invitation only first-look audience, and then threw the doors open to the public at 11 a.m., starting with a grand-reopening ribbon cutting.

 Giving the Signal American a verbal overview of his plans late last week, Nauman said they had done a light remodel shortly after buying the business in June of 2007.

 “It was more of adding new table tops to the existing tables, and putting up a new color scheme,” Nauman said. “That was really the only remodeling we did, so it’s well past due for a facelift.”

 Calling it an “out with the old, in with the new” effort, he described it as a new kind of look and feel experience.

 “The business has grown and the customer base has grown,” Nauman said. “There are times when it is just packed in the shop, thank you. That’s not a complaint at all. But there are times when it’s hard to maneuver in and around the store and so we are changing the entire traffic flow and the whole experience.”

 As part of the remodel, Nauman said the deli line will now face the front door on State Street.

 “It should provide a better customer experience,” he said. “Seating will be confined more into one area. A couple of extra seats for people will be gained, and people won’t be walking through diners trying to shop for chocolate.”

 As for the design’s change, it is moving from mostly an early 1900s chocolate shop look to a more mid-century ice-cream and candy store.

 “I really want it to embrace the ice cream shop feel that we are, as well, and also we’ve started carrying more and more old nostalgic candies, like the salt water taffies, candy sticks, and a lot of the stuff I grew up with as a kid,” he said. “I’ve started carrying more of those kinds of things, so I want the look and feel to encompass all of that.”

 Nauman wants it to be a place where people feel comfortable to spend some time, along with utilizing what he offers and the space for birthdays or other parties.

 “I want it to be someplace where somebody says ‘let’s grab a half dozen friends and go down and have ice cream sundaes, and have a little birthday party,’ and whatever,” he said. “They’ll be able to walk in for (smaller group) birthday parties, or be able to make reservations.”

 Nauman said he is working with Beacon Properties new event venue, right across State Street, to be able to rent their space for parties and meetings. He said he believes the venue holds up to 75 people.

 “We’ll be able to host business luncheons and that kind of stuff,” he said. “It will be super easy.”

 Nauman was particularly excited on Friday morning, as the remodeling crew was sanding the shop’s wood floors, the floors that were original to the building.

 “I can’t wait to see those beautiful floors again,” he said.