In this month’s market report, we highlight two sweet success stories born from passion and community. First, Sprinkles & Co., where a lab technologist’s love for baking transformed into handcrafted treats inspired by childhood memories and global travels. Next is Yummy Co., “The Candy Lady’s” nostalgic haven, born from a mother’s desire to share retro sweets with Calgary.
Both businesses thrive within the vibrant, family-like atmosphere of local Calgary markets, proving that sweet dreams and community spirit create the perfect recipe for success.
SPRINKLES & CO.
Every so often in life, opportunity comes knocking. And it was one such sweetly serendipitous moment that drew in Karen Louise De Asis, one half of the brother-sister duo behind Sprinkles and Co.
The Sprinkles story began when the siblings were offered a chance to take over the market location of Fantasy Donuts & Pretzels. Despite De Asis’s background as a lab technologist, her passion for baking compelled her to take a chance and embark on a new adventure with her brother. Nestled within the Fresh & Local Market and Kitchens, Sprinkles & Co. has since become a beloved destination for handcrafted sweets tailor-made for enthusiasts seeking inspired treats.
‘We love to explore new flavours,” De Asis explains, “Inspiration often strikes from our favourite childhood treats or the dishes we encounter during our travels. It’s a fun challenge to blend these memories into something fresh and exciting for our customers.”
Sprinkles & Co.’s creative process begins with brainstorming sessions where the siblings draw from personal experiences and their boundless creativity.
This approach has led to popular items, such as the Mexican churros churros, which are coated in cinnamon, paired with a Nutella drip, and served with a luscious white chocolate dipping sauce. Other offerings include an array of unique and beautiful doughnuts, sweet and savoury pretzels and lemonades, all prepared with love, care and immense pride.
For Sprinkles & Co., serving Calgary’s confectionery aficionados is about more than just selling products. As De Asis puts it, “farmers’ markets are about building connections and understanding the passion and hard work behind each item. We see our fellow vendors as family, and that sense of community extends to our customers.”
Sprinkles & Co. | Fresh & Local Market and Kitchens | 426, 12445 Lake Fraser Dr. S.E. | 403.890.0001 | sprinklesandco.ca
YUMMY CO.
For 24 years, Jody Turner, affectionately known as “The Candy Lady,” has been delighting Calgarians with a taste of nostalgia – in the form of delicious retro candy.
The inspiration for Yummy Co. struck when Turner, new to Calgary at the time, noticed a lack of specialty candy shops in the city. “I wanted to take my son to a candy shop, but there wasn’t one in Calgary,” says Turner. “That’s when I knew I had to create something special.”
By 2001, she transformed that inspiration into a full-time business, starting with booths at local fairs before opening her store in the Crossroads Market.
Through meticulous research and having attended candy shows in Chicago and beyond, she curates an impressive selection of sweets from around the globe. But it’s not just the sugar high that keeps customers coming back; it’s the memories evoked by childhood favourites like Pop Eye Sticks, PayDay Bars and Wax Lips.
A particularly delightful product at Yummy Co. is the Candy Capsule, a charming “sugar cube” time capsule filled with iconic candies from each decade, spanning the 1940s to the 2000s. It makes a perfect, unique gift for any candy lover – and let’s be real, who doesn’t love candy?
Situated in the bustling Crossroads Market, Yummy Co. has thrived in the vibrant community setting that makes farmers’ markets so special. “The market has such a family feel,” says Turner. “We’re part of a tight-knit group of vendors who work together to create a special experience for our customers.”
Yummy Co. | Crossroads Market | 1235 26th Ave. S.E. | 403.279.YUMM
Leave A Comment