LOCAL BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT - The Sweet SpoT
Carolyn Corro, owner of The Sweet Spot Coffee & Bake Shop
Several years ago, Carolyn Corro asked her son what he wanted for a Christmas gift. He replied that he wanted to go to New York City, and he suggested that she sell her homemade Needham candies at craft fairs to fund this trip. In only two months, they had raised enough money to travel to the city as a family. This success prompted Carolyn to start selling candies and baked goods as a side job, eventually leading her to where she is today: The Sweet Spot Coffee & Bake Shop owner. In early June, Carolyn expanded her business to include a candy store with over 500 varieties of candy and 36 flavors of soda.
After the trip to NYC, Carolyn started selling candies and baked goods out of her house, which led her to open the Franklin St. Café & Bakery. In the fall of 2023, Carolyn moved her business to Main Street and rebranded. Her business became “The Sweet Spot Coffee and Bake Shop."
Carolyn's journey was not without its challenges. The winter months proved to be a significant hurdle, with many of her loyal customers unaware of her business's new location and name. Undeterred, Carolyn relied on free advertising through social media and word-of-mouth. It was a few months later that her customers began to find her again, a testament to her perseverance and the strength of her business.
Business has been steadily picking up since the winter, and when an opportunity presented itself in early 2024, Carolyn felt like she had to jump on it. Zi Photography relocated above the Bud Connection, leaving the building next to hers open. Carolyn worried about what sort of business would move in. After discussing it with her family, she decided to open a candy store in that space.
The Sweet Spot Candy Shop opened its doors on June 8th, 2024. The store offers a wide range of treats, catering to every taste. From classic chocolate bars like Mars Bars to international candies from Japan, Germany, England, Switzerland, and more, there's something for everyone. For the adventurous, there's a chocolate bar made with Carolina Reapers (sold only to those 18+), and for the novelty-seekers, there are freeze-dried candies and chocolate-covered bugs. The store also offers candy in bulk, ensuring there's a sweet treat for every occasion.
When asked if Carolyn had any advice for those interested in starting a business, she said, "You're going to need good financial backing via savings or someone helping you out. You don't know what it is going to cost you." She paused. "You're going to have to work hard. You're going to go broke. And not just a strong financial backing and strong drive, I found – for me – the most important thing when it came to all of this was my husband… he has been my rock, my sounding board, my voice of reason, my muscle, my strength." After explaining how he drove four hours round trip to Whitefield to pick up display shelves, she finished, "Beyond anything else, you need to have a great support network."
But let's go back to where it started: selling Needham candies at craft fairs. Needhams are a Maine tradition dating back to the 19th century, and tradition is an integral part of Carolyn's story. Carolyn grew up in Ellsworth, and many of the recipes she uses are from her mother, who wrote a cookbook and gave it to her family in 1999. Some of the recipes show up in the bake shop, such as the raspberry squares and English Toffee. After talking to Carolyn, it was evident that baked into the bedrock of her business was the support of Carolyn's family, whether it was her son's advice, her husband's unending support, or her mother's recipes. Hopefully, visiting The Sweet Spot Café & Bake Shop or the Sweet Spot Candy Shop will be a new tradition that Ellsworth residents and visitors can incorporate into their own lives.
The Bake Shop & Café is open seven days a week, Monday – Saturday from 7 am – 4 pm, and Sunday from 8 am – 4 pm. The Candy Store is currently open from 9 am – 4 pm but will extend to 5 pm later this summer. Come support Carolyn and her sweet ventures! Whether it's her mother's inspired treats, a bubble tea, a handful of jelly bellies, or some Pop Rocks, you'll find something delicious (and sweet!) to try.
