Sweet dream realized on S.F.’s Russian Hill
When Diane and Brian Campbell loaded their car on New Year’s Day in 1996 and left Manhattan for San Francisco, they knew no one and were short on money – but had a long-held dream.
After a string of odd jobs, months of working on a business plan, and years of searching for the right space in San Francisco, the husband and wife team opened the Candy Store, a 400-square-foot boutique on Russian Hill that specializes in nostalgic and artisanal candy.
Now, as they gear up for Easter – their second biggest sales week after Christmas – they are also celebrating on April 10 the third anniversary of the opening of their shop. The Campbells managed to grow the business during one of the worst economies in recent history, and are now looking to open candy stores elsewhere, including in Manhattan and Tokyo.
“Year two was better than one, and year three is better than two,” Diane Campbell, 37, said last week as she stood behind the counter of the Candy Store, located on Vallejo Street between Polk and Van Ness. “You can come in here, and whether you have $5 to spend or an unlimited budget, you find an affordable luxury and enjoy the experience.”
