CHINA GROVE — Beginning Saturday, China Grove will have a new addition to its Main Street — the former Candy Shoppe on Main of Salisbury.

The traditional-style candy shop has moved to 102 S. Main St. in China Grove. A soft opening is planned during China Grove Farmers Day on Saturday, said Don Vick, the shop’s former owner who is aiding in the transition. Vick says he’ll work about 15 hours per week at the new location.

The China Grove shop is owned by Rohan Banton, a former Connecticut resident who immigrated to the U.S. from Kingston, Jamaica, on June 11, 1972. Banton moved to the Salisbury area with his cleaning service — Gloria M’s — 13 years ago. Through his business, he met Vick and his wife, Nancy.

Banton said he is excited about moving the shop to China Grove.

In addition to the merchandise featured in the Salisbury location, the China Grove store will also have an upstairs space for parties and other gatherings.

The goal for Banton, Vick said, is to have a shop with the same atmosphere of the former Salisbury shop.

The China Grove storefront will allow Banton to keep the traditional theme, Vick said. It will eventually include a soda shop serving root beer floats and slushies, too.

Vick said he and Banton first looked at opening a shop in Kannapolis, but those plans didn’t come to fruition. The storefront they chose in Kannapolis would have taken too long to prepare for business, he said.

While looking for a potential new location, Vick said he thought about China Grove’s growth potential.

After getting a haircut in town a few weeks ago, Vick walked down China Grove’s Main Streetm looking for a new location on Banton’s behalf. He saw a for-rent sign at 102 S. Main St.

The China Grove location met many of the criteria Banton and Vick were looking for, specifically an old-timey, charming storefront.

When Vick called Banton about it, he was surprised to learn that Banton already knew about the storefront.

 

“When I walked into the building … I fell in love in two seconds … because I could see the old-fashioned candy shop in the building,” Banton said.

“It’s perfect,” he told Vick.

Vick said China Grove has a lot to offer.

“We believe the China Grove area is poised for extreme growth,” Vick said.

That is in part because of a new Interstate 85 interchange and activities throughout the year that Vick said Salisbury is lacking.

Contact reporter Samuel Motley at 704-797-4264.