The End of an Era
/For many years “Secret Haven” in Fruit Heights, Utah was one of my favorite gift shops. Sadly, it closed in 2017 after 25 years of business. Sue Harkness, the owner, is blessed abundantly with the gift of creativity and has shared that gift for many years. I miss the “retail therapy” of wandering her quaint little boutique. If I was ever having a bad day or just needed to escape for an hour or two, I would drive the 15 minutes it took to get there, and felt instant peace and LIGHT as I walked through the door! The smells and music were soothing to the soul, and I usually ended my visit with a treat from “The Bun Basket” bakery next door. Their home-made orange rolls were divine! Sadly, both places are no longer in business.
Secret Haven was where I first discovered my favorite Valentine’s Day candies. I have always loved finding new and delicious candies to share with family and friends. Sue had a knack for finding fun, unique and yummy things for her shop. One of these became a yearly tradition in our home.
“Sweet Petite Sour Hearts” made by the “Jelly Belly” jelly bean company has not only been a tradition, but a happy addiction as well! For as long as I can remember, I’ve looked forward to and planned Valentine’s for my kids and grandkids early. Each year my daughter Errin begins searching the house for these delicious morsels of goodness! They are the perfect combination of sour and sweet in a tiny gummy heart shaped base. Surprisingly, they are grape flavored, but in a yummy soothing way. They remind me of Welches sparkling white grape juice without the fizz. Others caught on quickly and I knew I had to start looking for them in December or January, otherwise they would sell out. At first, Jelly Belly only made them once a year for Valentine’s Day. But they became so popular, they made them available year round. This was true up until Covid hit . . . that dreaded virus disrupted too many good and wonderful things in our lives! Sadly, “Sweet Petite Sour Hearts” again became next to impossible to find . . . supply chain issues. I would begin searching months in advance, knowing they had a long shelf life, I have still found them every year. It may have taken a little searching, but I have been able to eventually acquire them. This year I’m sad to say will be the last for this beloved Valentine’s Day candy tradition. Jelly Belly has decided to discontinue this delicious treat, and I’m more than a little sad. However, I am excited to have found enough to do one last round of Valentine goodness for old time’s sake.
It will be difficult to find something to replace them, but I now have a new challenge ahead of me this coming year. In the process, I’ve also found a couple new fun places for “retail therapy” and general wandering. Nothing so far has matched the look, feel and variety of “Secret Haven”, but “Amy Boutique” and “Jolley’s Gifts” in Salt Lake City both carry a fun supply of candies. I added some of these to my kids Valentine surprises this year, so we shall see what the verdict is tomorrow when they open them up. Who knows? The new watermelon gummy candies made in Sweden by “Cloetta” might become the new tradition. They too are the perfect mix of sweet and sour.
Unique and yummy candies have always brought LIGHT into my life! I hope you find ways to bring the joy of sweetness and LIGHT into yours, especially today! Happy Heart Day!
Love Ya, Les :)