Blackwood Woman Caters to 'Friendlier' People with Candy Shop

It was at a funeral, of all places, when Pat Mahoney McLeod decided to get into the candy business.

“I was sitting there thinking when I die, I don’t want people to think, ‘She didn’t do anything. It’s a shame she never opened her store,’” recalls McLeod, who lives in Gloucester Township’s Blackwood section.

So McLeod decided to take action. After 19 years checking credit reports for mortgage applicants—and just as long bringing in treats for her coworkers—McLeod quit her job to open her own candy store.

Pat’s Chocolate Village, at the intersection of Warwick Road and East Atlantic Avenue, in Somerdale, just marked its seventh anniversary in mid-December. And, despite the rough economy, McLeod continues to live out her dream of owning her own shop where her creativity and candy-making talent produce chocolate masterpieces.

While her old job focused on customer service over the phone, McLeod now gets to chat face-to-face with her customers, helping them pick out the perfect chocolate rose, chocolate-covered potato chips or chocolate-covered pretzels. Of course, that’s not the only difference between running a candy store and dealing with credit reports.

“People are definitely a lot friendlier here. They’re happy when they come in, they’re happier when they go out—not like the mortgage business,” she says with a laugh. “Thank goodness.”

McLeod, who graduated from Highland High School, draws on her degree from Rowan University as well. She majored in art education and while a teaching job never materialized, McLeod creates artwork from food.

“I like making the more decorative things, like taffy and the baskets,” she says gesturing to the cellophane wrapped baskets filled with goodies. “It’s creative—I feel like I always have to be creative.”

Running a chocolate village requires something of a village. McLeod’s family is always at her store, baking the back and ringing up customers. Her shop becomes something of a family party through the holiday season, when candy fans pack the front and the family gathers in back, playing music and hanging out together between helping customers.

It’s not all Willy Wonka magic, though, McLeod admits. The economic downturn has attacked her bottom line, as it has for many small businesses. While Christmas is a popular time of year, she knows the shop will empty out until people begin shopping for Valentine’s Day treats. Several days after Christmas, business was slow and though she hasn’t added up the holiday receipts yet, she suspects sales are down from past years.

Rising food and supply prices exacerbate the stresses of keeping a small business afloat in this economy.

“Every year has gotten better and better, until this year. This year was bad,” McLeod notes. Around the holidays “we seemed really busy and I was ordering more. But it was the rest of the year that was really bad.”

For now, McLeod plans to hold firm and trust that her candy creations will grow in popularity. People come to the store for specific items, like Irish potatoes offered year-round, or chocolate peanut butter cups, and McLeod has a loyal customer base.

McLeod also offers “chocolate therapy”—chocolate fountains, pretzels, fruit and toppings so party guests can create their own confections. Chocolate therapy is popular for girls’ nights out, kids’ parties and similar gatherings, McLeod notes.

Despite the stress of running her own business and weathering the economy, McLeod has no regrets. She calls the shots, and her business is exactly what she envisioned during all of those years of making candy for coworkers.

“It was scary (to open the business) but now I know I’ve tried, I’ve done something,” she says. “No matter what, at least I’ve tried it.”

Pat’s Chocolate Village, 519 N. Warwick Road, Somerdale, is open Tuesday through Saturday, with extended hours around holidays. Get more information at the shop’s website or Facebook page.