By Dan Macdonald, Contributing Writer
Sweet Pete’s and the Candy Apple Café temporarily closed Downtown as the 115-year-old building they occupy is being repaired.
Since Aug.10, the businesses have been closed to the public after heavy, almost daily rains pelted the aged roof and caused condensation to form inside the building, said Sweet Pete’s co-owner Allison Behringer.
Allison and her husband, Pete Behringer, own the Sweet Pete’s candy business in the historic building at 400 N. Hogan St.
Allison Behringer said the third-floor insulation had to be removed and replaced. The ventilation system also needed extensive repairs. There also are plans to paint the building’s exterior.
Behringer said that even with the work being done, the roof will need to be replaced soon.
Because of the extent of the exterior work, the Behringers decided to close for August and September and thoroughly clean and repair the interior as well.
Windows are being re-sealed. Wood floors, original to the building, are being re-finished.
The candy store and restaurant will re-open by Oct. 1 when the confectioner’s busy holiday season begins, she said.
“Right now, they are doing minor repairs and a lot of cleaning,” Allison Behringer said of her 13 full-time employees. “They are doing whatever needs to be done.”
Some of the repairs are the result of a successful business, she said. “A lot of it is wear and tear. Those original floors have taken a beating.”
While the business is closed to the public, the industrial kitchen remains open to fill corporate and internet orders.
Any remaining work to the building may take place in January, but that would need to be completed before the Valentine’s Day rush.
Behringer said the timing worked out well, given the circumstances. Business slows in the summer heat and after school resumes, there are few reservations for candymaking demonstrations by Pete Behringer.
Sweet Pete’s started in a small house in Springfield and moved to its current location near City Hall in 2014 after Marcus Lemonis of the reality television show “The Profit” decided to become a partner.
Lemonis invested in the company and the building, which had been vacant. In its heyday it was the private Seminole Club.
Customers can visit Sweet Pete’s Candy on Facebook or sweetpetescandy.com for updates and enter an email address for news on the repair progress.
