One always hears about the fabled old fashioned sweet shops, but it was not until we headed to South London vintage confectioner, Hope & Greenwood, for our Candy Shop Photoshoot, that we really understood what all the fuss is about.
Upon entry, all three senses were immediately stimulated. A vintage entry bell tinkled as we swung open the door and the sweet aroma of chocolate and boiled sugar engulfed us as our eyes feasted on shelves stacked with glass jars brimming with brightly-coloured boiled sweets and the counters bursting with handmade chocolates, truffles and fudges displayed in 1950s press glassed cake stands.
It took everything we had, as adults, not to scream with delight and run around the shop filling our bags with candy. We were there to work and once we calmed ourselves down, work we did, even if it was done with 50% focus on the task at hand and 50% focus on the splendid anachronistic post war decor and the abundance of goodies that lined the shelves around us.
Having only heard about the shops owners, Miss Hope and Mr. Greenwood, our curiosity of this shop, in which everyone’s childhood fantasy is basically re lived, left us with numerous questions for its owners and candy shop creators.
We caught up with Miss Hope to find out a bit more about Hope & Greenwood:
Did you enjoy sweets as children?
Pink Panther bars after mass for me. Pineapple cubes for Mr G.
What was your childhood like?
Daubed with tubes of watercolour, Fuzzy Felts, Gloy Glue, Flip flops, Super Mousse (frozen) and nylon pyjamas with a badly positioned ring pull.
Any funny childhood memories or stories?
None whatsoever. I spent most of childhood hiding in a wardrobe eating Wagon Wheels and twiddling the wheels on my roller skate (singular).
What are your favourite sweets?
Miss Hope’s Magnificent Jellies in particular Cherry Hearts.
What are your favourite chocolates?
Rose and Violet Creams.
The chocolates in store are produced exclusively by yourselves; can you tell me about what makes them different from other chocolates?
They are British, made with fresh cream, butter and proper vanilla. They are enrobed twice like wearing two cashmere scarves at once.
How many different flavours of sweets do you have?
400!
How many different flavours of chocolates do you have?
About 40
What are the best sellers?
Champagne truffles, followed by champagne truffles, though our Oozy Caramel is truly splendid.
The most unusual sweet you sell?
Fizz! Bang Wallops! Sweets with va-va -voom.
Owning and working with sweets do you still actually enjoy them?
Unfortunately yes.
You have a very vintage aesthetic to the store, can you tell me about that?
Rose tinted glasses of a gentler time when we played knock-down -ginger, ate Vesta curry and my granny lived next door. The brand rule is ‘if my granny had it in her pantry – then we stock it.’
Do you have any children?
Jake (20) Rich (35) Vicky (32) and 4 grandchildren, we are their favourite grandparents.
If so what are their favourite sweets?
Magic Millions and all the other free sweets.
What do you enjoy most about owning a sweetshop?
Making people smile, it’s a happy place.
Easter is almost here, what sweet treat would you recommend for the occasion?
You absolutely MUST try our Strawberry truffle eggs as recommended in Delicious Magazine.
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In addition to the store we held our shoot at in Dulwich and their second location in Covent Garden, you can also buy H&G confectionery in Selfridges, John Lewis Foodhalls, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods, Liberty, House of Fraser, Fenwick and Conran. You can also buy online on their site.
- Shop Online on the Hope & Greenwood -
-See the AlexandAlexa.com Magazine-
