Gimbals Gets Go-Ahead to Expand

Amid trying times for businesses comes sweet news: Gimbals Fine Candies is about to expand by 8,800 square feet.

The South San Francisco City Council Wednesday unanimously approved a roomy addition to the confectioner's building at 250 Hillside Blvd.

Business has boomed over the past 10 years, and the one-time supplier to local mom-and-pop stores has outgrown its quarters, said CEO Lance Gimbal.

Today, Cherry Lovers, Licorice Scotties, LavaBalls and other sweets enjoy nationwide demand (Good buzz on the company's support for research on Colony Collapse Disorder has followed).

The Gimbal Candy Kitchen set up shop in San Francisco in 1989; a later generation moved the business to South City in 1951.

According to project manager Tom Ward, Gimbals has been sweet-talking the Historical Society, the Historic Old Town Home Owners and Renters Association, the planning commission, the fire marshal and the design review board, detailing its intentions and answering concerns.

“We’ve done our homework,” Gimbal said.

Resident Leo Padreddii worried that the new construction might obscure views for neighbors.

“I found out they were doing everything in their possible ability so that no one in the homes up above would be harmed in any way,” Padreddii said.

Councilman Mark Addiego praised Gimbals, now in the hands of its fourth generation, for its sensitivity to the community.

“It was a very wise way to go about this process,” Addiego said.