As Local As You
Hi, I’m Alana the proud owner of the Barwon Heads and Torquay Sweet Shop.
My sister Nadeika and I grew up on the Bellarine Peninsula and were spoilt with the fun and opportunities this beautiful part of the world offered us; rock pooling at Queenscliff, camping at Ocean Grove, exploring Leopold's wetlands and more.
We left our home town separately during our twenties, exploring the world and Australia before settling together in a similar seaside locale on Western Australia's coast. Nearly 16 years ago I began working in local candy store before taking on the Margaret River Sweet Shop as my own.
Home began calling and first Nadeika moved back to the Bellarine Peninsula and I followed shortly after. The Barwon Heads Sweet Shop was born in 2020 and a year later the Queenscliff Sweet Shop opened too. In late 2021 I said to goodbye to the Margaret River Sweet Shop to focus on Barwon Heads. It was sad to see it go but it will forever have a special part of my heart.
The urge to grow bit again in 2022 and we proudly opened the Torquay Sweet Shop store in a shared working space with local legends Pre-Loved Torquay.
"When we say 'sister store' we're not simply referring to separate businesses with a shared identity, we're proudly reflecting the fact we are really sisters."
The original 'Sweet Shop' provided us with both a deep understanding of the opportunities working locally as well as the challenges of retail trade in a seasonal, tourist-reliant coastal town.
Our biggest learning has been recognising the power and support of our local communities and their people. More than anything we want to be 'your' local lolly shop and part of the 'small businesses supporting each other' movement. We are committed to being active members of the Bellarine & Surf Coastcommunities and to give back where we can through sponsorship or fundraising arrangements.
Thank you for welcoming us home and to your town and we look forward to seeing you very soon.
Alana x
