JACKSONVILLE, FL--(Marketwired - Aug 14, 2015) - Sweet Pete's Candy, a specialty sweet and snack shop founded by Pete and Allison Behringer, along with entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, host of CNBC's reality series, The Profit, today announced the acquisition of the Jolly Good Fellows Sweet Boutique in Lake Forest, IL. The Jolly Good Fellows retail store located at 270 Market Square will be converted into a full-service Sweet Pete's Candy Shop over the next month, where visitors can satisfy their sweet tooth with items such as gourmet chocolate, frozen yogurt, ice cream, baked goods, cotton candy, irresistible snacks, and other nostalgic confections, anchored by its signature candy making classes and space availability for birthday parties and other private catered events.
Previous owner, Laura Fellows, opened the store in downtown Lake Forest near the Metra train stop in 2013, and enjoyed great reviews on the creative candy, cupcakes and specialty treats throughout the Lake Forest and neighboring communities.
"Opening a Sweet Pete's in the Chicagoland area allows us to create new ways for customers to enjoy timeless favorites and test the business model in different markets," said new owner, Allison Behringer. "Over the past 12 months we have experienced tremendous growth based on having the proper people, process and product at our Jacksonville, Florida facility and we will be reviewing additional markets across the country and opportunities in which to expand our Sweet Pete's brand."
Sweet Pete's manufactures a line of quality chocolates and sells almost a thousand different types of candies. The new Lake Forest location will boast a fully functioning candy factory and dessert bar, with patrons also having the option to create their own bulk custom candy mix finished with a variety of packaging available for special events and gifts. In addition, Sweet Pete's will feature a 2,000 square foot event room that offers space for catered events, candy making classes and birthday parties.
"The Sweet Pete's brand is not your average candy store. We believe we now have the world's largest candy store and we like to think of it as being a sweet emporium that offers both the young and the young at heart the ultimate sugar rush experience," continued Behringer. "This north shore Chicago location will continue to be a hit for the community and we are excited to have visitors from near and far to enjoy the 'Sweetest Destination on Earth'."
Lemonis initially partnered with the Sweet Pete's Candy Company based in Jacksonville, Florida on the hit CNBC reality series, The Profit, where Lemonis stepped in to assist couple, Pete and Allison Behringer, with the expansion of their business facility and product offering. Pete has a wealth of knowledge in the candy business and has been making treats for over 20 years. The company has since relocated to a 23,000-square-foot building in Downtown Jacksonville. The Profit returns November 3rd with all new episodes including update episodes highlighting the success and growth of successful business partnership since the series began in July of 2013.
About Sweet Pete's
Sweet Pete's is a specialty sweets and snack shop that opened its doors in 2010 after owner Peter Behringer, known better as "Sweet Pete," decided to turn his love for candy making into a business in order to share his creations and passion with others. Behringer possesses over 20 years of candy making experience and was raised in the chocolate industry, spending the earlier years of his life working for his mother's family-run chocolate business. Sweet Pete's relocated and expanded into a 23,000 square-foot facility in Jacksonville, FL in 2014, which is believed to be the world's largest candy shop. Today, Sweet Pete's manufactures a line of quality chocolates and sells almost a thousand different types of candies, while also offering a large retail store, full-service restaurant and bar, rooftop patio, dessert bar, candy making classes and more at the Jacksonville location. Find out why Sweet Pete's is the sweetest destination on earth by visiting www.sweetpetescandy.com, follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sweetpetes, and Twitter @sweetpetes
About Marcus Lemonis
Marcus Lemonis is an entrepreneur, investor, television personality, and chairman and CEO of Marcus Lemonis LLC as well as Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises. Camping World is the nation's largest RV and outdoor retailer, and Good Sam is the world's largest RV owner's organization. Visit www.campingworld.com
Lemonis is also known as the "business turnaround king" and host of CNBC's prime time reality series, The Profit, in which he lends his expertise to struggling small businesses around the country and judges businesses based on a "Three P" principle: People, Process, and Product. The Profit returns on Tuesday, November 3rd at 10pm ET/PT on CNBC.
More about Marcus Lemonis can be found at http://www.marcuslemonis.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marcus.lemonis and Twitter @MarcusLemonis.
Contact Information:
For media, contact:
Karen L. Porter
Director of Media Services
