A 21-YEAR-OLD man at the helm of one of Taunton’s most popular sweet shops is driven to further expand the store in what is his first ever business venture.
FizzyWhizzyWoo first set up shop in Taunton five years ago and moved to Magdalene Lane from The Orchard Centre in August 2023, when current director Callum Ralph took over the business.
Callum first worked as a store assistant at the shop’s previous location, but when the opportunity to run the business presented itself, he couldn’t resist.
“I love working with sweets, and eating them,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a childhood dream.”
The shop attracts customers from Taunton and across the region, with some coming from as far as Chard, Yeovil and Tiverton to sample the delicious sweets on offer.
Since Callum became director, he has built up a relationship with the business’s growing loyal client base, including one man in his nineties who frequently drops by to pick up his regular order of vanilla fudge.
He explained how the Rhubarb and Custard Laces are the biggest hit among customers and how he feels the ‘traditional’ aspect of being able to choose your sweets from a jar is what sets FizzyWhizzyWoo apart from other shops, as well as its stock of imported American treats.
The shop also boasts a low-calorie sugar-free range, which is enjoyed by people with diabetes and those trying to lose weight.
With over 135 jars to choose from, the shop has a huge array of options, and that’s excluding its other products such as sweet pickles, unique versions of popular soft drinks, and a huge range of PEZ sweets and dispensers.
Callum feels the shop’s ability to take customers ‘back to when they were kids’ has been a key indicator for his success whilst in charge so far.
He’s even introduced his own choices of sweets, including hot and spicy peppers which, although sweet, pack the punch of a vindaloo – something I can attest to after trying them.
Callum has big plans for the store, including hopes to expand the range of what’s on offer.
Perhaps most exciting is the fact that Callum has been approached by both Somerset County Cricket Club and Taunton Town FC to provide sweets to fans at the grounds on match days.
He has also recently acquired a traditional wedding cart to serve lucky brides’ and grooms’ favourite sweet treats at their special days.
The popular sweet shop also has clear allergy labels on all of their jars for all dietary requirements including dairy free, gluten free and vegan.
FizzyWhizzyWoo is a joyous place to treat yourself to something sweet, and it’s clear Callum is the right man to take the store forward – whether it’s a relic from your childhood, or the latest flavour of Prime you’re after, it’s definitely worth a visit.
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