Downtown SLO candy shop closes after 8 years. It’s looking for a new owner
A downtown San Luis Obispo candy shop has closed amid challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic, according to the franchise owner.
Rocket Fizz is located at 699 Higuera St., on the same block as Kreuzberg Coffee.
The business “closed a couple of weeks ago due to it struggling to remain open for business during COVID-19,” Robert “Rob” Powells, president and co-founder of Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops LLC, wrote in an email on New Year’s Day.
Powells said he hopes the shop will reopen under a new franchisee as the owner, as the previous operator has left.
“Hopefully it can reopen with the next few months but it’s hard to say because of business operating restrictions,” Powells said.
Under the state’s regional stay-at-home order, retail stores are allowed to operate at 20% maximum capacity, with door metering required. No food or beverages can be consumed in stores.
Rocket Fizz, which opened in San Luis Obispo in 2012, has stores nationwide and focuses on old-fashioned sweets, gifts and drinks such as glass-bottled sodas.
The store began moving out its supplies in December, and its tenant space now is empty, though the Rocket Fizz sign still appears on the store front.
“We love San Luis Obispo and our customers and the community,” Powells said. “It’s a wonderful place and we are doing all we can to keep the Rocket Fizz brand open for everyone to enjoy.”
“We also understand the challenges for all of the fellow business owners during this difficult time,” he added. “We hope we all can come out of this COVID-19 situation even stronger than before, but most importantly is for everyone to stay as healthy as possible.”
Rocket Fizz joins a growing list of vacancies in the downtown area.
Other downtown businesses that have closed in recent months include Bambu Batu, Beverly’s Fabrics & Crafts, Jules D., Peet’s Coffee and Oasis Restaurant.
Abercrombie & Fitch announced that it’s closing its downtown San Luis Obispo location on Jan. 16. And Express will close its San Luis Obispo clothing store at the end of January.
Amid the closures, some new businesses are opening in San Luis Obispo — such as Monika’s Macarons at 1127 Broad St., Suite A, and Teazer World Tea Market, which is improving its tenant space formerly occupied by Peet’s at 1075 Court St., No. 110.
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