The Candy Store on Main Street in Tiburon is the heart of nostalgia. First opened in 1997, the store became a popular destination in downtown Tiburon for a sweet treat. Stepping inside, shoppers are greeted by a captivating blend of old-fashioned aesthetics, collaborating with a theme of bright colors. Each hue resonates with the simplicity and innocence of childhood, creating an atmosphere that is both warm and inviting.

32-year-old Jennifer Torres embarked on her professional journey working at the candy store as a Redwood student in 2008. Throughout her seven years of working there, Torres fell in love with the store’s charm, inspiring her to eventually take over. 

“This was the one job that I never actually left and never wanted to leave,” Torres said. 

Beginning her second year of college, Torres had left her job at The Candy Store for about nine months. During this period, circumstances took an unexpected turn and she returned to visit the store. It was during this visit that she discovered that the store’s former owners, Linda and Klaus Meinberg, were contemplating selling the establishment. Torres learned that despite several offers from potential buyers, none of them had proven to be the right fit. 

“They had all wanted to change something,” Torres said, “The previous owners just didn’t want to do that. They didn’t want to sell the candy store and have it be turned into something else.” 

After much thought, Torres felt a sense of responsibility to keep the store’s spirit alive. She was then given a timeframe of six months to find a suitable loan that would enable her to purchase the store. 

Today, Torres follows a busy schedule during the weekdays, dedicating her time to various tasks related to her work; she spends her time making fudge, restocking, cleaning and guiding behind the scenes tasks such as accounting the payroll and taxes. 

“The tip of the iceberg is working at the store. Owning it is 99 percent of the work,” Torres said.

On weekends, Torres has her employees complete numerous tasks such as scooping ice cream, refilling the chocolates and managing the register. Sophomore Claire Mussche spends her Saturdays sweetening peoples days at The Candy Store. For Mussche, working at the store has proven to be more than just a job—it has become a source of personal development. 

“[Working at The Candy Store] has made me more responsible and is an enjoyable job overall,” Mussche said. 

Balancing both her school life and work has caused her to improve Mussche’s time management skills, in addition to introducing her to all types of people.

Torres recalls her years at Redwood, reflecting on its impact and how she now applies it towards her business. 

“I took a lot of physics classes [at Redwood] and that helped me when I was making the chocolate. I took a lot of math classes and that helped me while measuring things. A lot of the math that we studied, I use all the time to figure out my profit margin,” Torres said.

Her academic journey has not only been a series of classes and assignments, but has served as a foundation for a more empowered and capable self. 

“[Redwood] made me a more well-rounded person,” Torres said.“There are a lot of things that I have applied [toward the candy store].”