45-Year-Old Candyland Crafts Seeks $50K To Continue Serving The Community

RARITAN, NJ — Candyland Crafts, a baking and candy supply store that has been part of the community since 1981, needs help.

New owner Simone Parham launched a GoFundMe fundraising website after facing major health and financial setbacks soon after taking over the business at 44 W. Somerset St. in Raritan.

"I took over the shop with the goal of preserving what people love about it while growing it into something even more special," said Parham.

According to Parham, Candyland Crafts has served "generations of families, home bakers, and small businesses" as they created cakes, chocolates, and other items tied to major life events.

"That’s the kind of place this is. That is the type of business I wanted to own," Parham wrote on the GoFundMe.

She said the business was hit by a series of problems after the ownership change.

"Shortly after taking ownership, I suffered a major stroke that left me hospitalized for three months,"Parham wrote. "It's been over a year, and now I can shakily walk again, but still struggle to use my right hand. It has taken a shockingly mighty toll."

Parham also said the store later found financial problems connected to the previous ownership, which "were not visible at the time of purchase."

As a result, Parham said the business is now dealing with legal and recovery costs, along with missing funds that impact operations.

"We are actively working to resolve the health, legal and financial issues, but the financial burden is real and growing," Parham wrote.

The goal is to raise $50,000 to be used toward ongoing legal and health recovery expenses, stabilizing and protecting the business, continuing operations without disruption, and expanding classes and in-store experiences.

"This support will allow us to move forward, not backward, and continue building something that serves our customers and community for years to come," Parham wrote.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/help-save-candyland-crafts-a-40-year-baking-community.

For more information on Candyland Crafts, visit facebook.com/candylandraritan or instagram.com/candylandcraftsnj or candylandcrafts.com.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported, visited, taken a class, or been part of Candyland Crafts over the years," said Parham. "We’re not done. Not even close."

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