The grand opening of Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop in downtown Leesburg brought an outpouring of excitement from the community—quite literally, like a kid in a candy store! The new store, located at 300 W Main St., is the 19th location of the family-friendly chain, founded by Chris Beers in 2012 in Pittsburgh. Known for its nostalgic candy, international sweets, and quirky products, Chris plans for Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop to become a major downtown destination.

The store’s concept is built around imagination and nostalgia, drawing inspiration from Chris’ favorite childhood book and movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

“The imagination of that story is really how my brain operates,” Chris said. “You’ll find stuff in my store that you’d never expect, like international candies, quirky gifts, and even strange soda flavors like ketchup and dill pickle. It’s about creating an experience.”

Chris, who also operates the Ocala location, was drawn to Leesburg’s charm and sense of community when choosing his next location.

“We opened in Ocala about three years ago and wanted to continue investing in small communities,” hey says. “When we saw Leesburg, we fell in love. It’s a really cute downtown with eclectic businesses and room for growth. We want to be part of that transformation.”

Chris emphasized the importance of integrating Grandpa Joe’s into the community and supporting downtown growth.

“We don’t want to be just another retail store,” he says. “Our goal is to help make downtown Leesburg the best Main Street destination in the region. We want to say yes to every local event and donation request and work closely with the downtown merchants to contribute to Leesburg’s success.”

Last night’s opening drew a large crowd, including Mayor Alan Reisman, who was a key supporter of the project.

“The City of Leesburg is thrilled to welcome Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop to our historic downtown,” Alan says. “This unique and nostalgic shop brings a sweet new energy to Main Street, offering residents and visitors a place to indulge in classic treats and discover new favorites. We’re excited to see local businesses like this thrive and contribute to the vibrancy of our community. Welcome to Leesburg, Grandpa Joe’s—we’re glad you’re here!”

The shop opened its doors at 4:05 p.m., a deliberate choice that reflects Chris’ playful nature and marketing savvy.

“I’ve never done anything exactly on time, and this is just one of those quirky, fun details that gets people talking,” he says. “It’s part of the experience and curiosity we like to create.”

Even the city and team kept the details of the store under wraps, avoiding any major public announcements until just before opening.

“We wanted to generate excitement like Willy Wonka did with his golden tickets,” Chris explains. “Even without showing much of the store, the buzz was incredible. It shows how supportive and excited the community is about having us here.”

Inside the store, customers can find a wide range of nostalgic and international candies, novelty items, and fun experiences like the world-famous $5 candy buffet and over 300 varieties of glass-bottled sodas. Beers believes the store’s welcoming atmosphere will encourage families to take their time and enjoy the experience.

“We’re not a stuffy store where you can’t touch anything,” he says. “We want kids to pick things up, explore, and have fun. The best part for me is seeing customers light up when they walk in and rediscover their childhood memories.”

Despite challenges along the way, including extensive renovations to the historic building and hurricane-related damage to the awning, Chris is thrilled to be open.

“We hit some hurdles, but when you walk in the door, you’ll see that we did it right,” he says. “Leesburg is ready for this, and we’re ready to be part of it.”

The Leesburg store will be operated by manager Joel Fritzinger and his team, with goals of making it much more than just a candy store.

“We want people to make this a destination, to bring their families and create memories here,” Chris says. “We’re not a big corporate chain—we’re part of the community. We’re here to stay and to give back.”

Stop by this Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. to discover a world of sweet nostalgia and surprises. After opening weekend they will be open 7 days a week.