TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A Boulevard Of Sweets

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

Updated: 02/11/2008 08:22 pm

HYDE PARK - For half of his life, Steven Ashworth, 40, has worked for other candy shop owners. So when he opened City Street Sweets in Hyde Park Village in December, he brought candy-making skills and a business sense.

The how-to he learned from his years at Savannah's Candy Kitchen and the numbers savvy he got from Godiva, where he worked in the company's Hyde Park store from 1996 to 2001 before being transferred to International Plaza.

"I always loved the charm of the village," he said. "And when this spot came available, I knew it was time for my own effort."

City Street Sweets, 1601 W. Snow Circle, offers homemade fudge for $9.95 a pound, and revolutions (turtles) and barks at $15.95 a pound, in addition to lots of name-brand candies.

His 14 fudge flavors include Key lime and orange swirl. His barks include rocky road and fruity cranberry. His Valentine special is a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries for $30.
Ashworth said his shop will be wall-to-wall male customers in the days leading up to Thursday.

"I'm already seeing women come in and buy what they want for teachers and sweethearts," he said last week. "But the men are procrastinators."

He's hopeful his business will take off by offering something for every one, from lollipops to chocolate balls wrapped like baseballs.

"I want children to be as happy here as adults," he said.

For information, call (813) 251-6764 or go to www.city streetsweets.com.

Janis D. Froelich

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT