By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Sweet Dreams are now a little bittersweet. Three years ago, Skylar Meeker opened Sweet Dreams Candy Shop in downtown Great Bend. Two months ago, she announced the store was up for sale, with a buyer needed before November. With some hits and misses on that front, Meeker says the store is now liquidating its merchandise and furniture.
"It's hard because this was a childhood dream of mine, but I'm thankful I got to carry it out and experience it for three years," she said. "I think that part is helpful not feel quite so sad about it. I think the hardest part is when I have my loyal customers that come in and bring it up and talk about it. That's one thing I've tried hard to do over the last three years is not just run a business, but form relationships with my customers in our community. That's when it makes it hard."
The store was originally opened on Lakin Avenue in October 2019, eventually moving to 1403 Main Street in May 2021. Meeker's oldest of three children was diagnosed with epilepsy a couple of years ago, and complications with that helped force Meeker's business decision.
Meeker was contacted by several local and out-of-town individuals about purchasing the business, but none felt like it was the right fit. To close the doors in the coming months, Meeker is marking down prices.
"This week we are doing 25 percent off store-wide," she said. "We actually even have some items marked down to 50 percent off. We have a lot of inventory to try to sell off. As we sell off inventory, we're selling off furniture and equipment."
Sweet Dreams Candy Shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone interested in purchasing equipment or furniture can stop in during business hours, call (620) 796-2639, or email [email protected].