Candy Coated Dreams: Cannon’s Cake and Candy Supplies

Every Saturday at 9:50 a.m., customers begin lining up outside of .

By the time the store opens at 10 a.m., there is already a line at the cash register at least three or four deep.

They are in line for the same thing: delicious and beautiful supplies to make homemade candy, decorate birthday cakes, create amazing cupcakes and perfect other confections. Cannon’s is the only place in South Jersey to get top-of-the-line and unique candy supplies. The store is packed with thousands of candy molds in every shape imaginable (from teeth to turtles), fondant, cake pans, sprinkles, jimmies and Merken chocolate.

Sandy Cheney, owner of Cannon’s Cake and Candy Supplies, has been working in the candy and cake business for 26 years.  She paid her candy making dues as a stay-at-home to two girls.

“I was vice president of this and president of that,” said Cheney, whose two daughters are now 39 and 35. “I made candy for every event, class party and for fundraisers.”

Cheney took a candy making class in Ohio. When she moved back to New Jersey a few years later, her oldest daughter was turning 16. While Cheney could make candy, she had no idea how to smooth out frosting or how to decorate a cake.

“I wanted to make my daughter a beautiful cake for her birthday,” she said. Cheney discovered Cannon’s store, which was in Lindenwold at the time, and was hooked.

A few years later when she saw a “help wanted” sign in the window of the store, Cheney decided it was time to go back to work and do something she loved.

The owner, Mr. Cannon, hired her within minutes and Cheney started working just a few hours a week. After a year, the business had grown to more than five employees and Cheney was the manager. Ten years later Cheney purchased Cannon’s Cake and Candy Supplies and the rest is history.

“I had been home for years. Starting work at Cannon’s was like a letting a jack out of a box,” said Cheney. “I got to got to work and talk about something I loved—candy making, baking and cake decorating.”

The store has been at its current location on Chews Landing Road for over six years, after stints in Lindenwold, Glendora and Barrington.

Cheney says that loyal customers have followed the business through the years and the location changes. She knows the regulars by name and while the store does not offer formal classes, Cheney is available to give tips, instructions and other hints to shoppers on the floor.

For the Christmas season, Cheney said there are three simple and delicious homemade treats that even a novice can make. She suggested trying homemade peppermint crunch (made with peppermint bits and white chocolate), “Girl Scout” cookies (a Ritz cracker dipped in melted mint chocolate) and chocolate covered pretzels. Cannon’s stocks all the supplies for all these treats, including the pretzels (available in a 5-pound box).

If you are looking to make something fancy, Cannon’s has sugar sprinkles in every color under the sun, edible glitter and sugar adornments like flowers. They can also turn your favorite picture into an edible sheet. Just bring in a photograph and Cannon’s will do their magic and provide you with an edible imagine to place on top of your cake.

The store is closed Sunday and Monday. It is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, Wednesdays 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store will be closed between Christmas Eve and January 3.