SLO candy shop closed during the pandemic. Now it’s back under new ownership
The centrally located candy shop Rocket Fizz has a new life after reopening in the same spot under a new franchise owner in downtown San Luis Obispo.
The store that sells eclectic candies and a wide variety of soda pop brands — located at the corner of Higuera and Broad streets in the heart of downtown SLO — temporarily closed under a former franchise owner at the end of 2020 amid pandemic challenges, according to company president and co-founder Robert Powells.
But the shop’s new owner, Bill Sallada, a North Carolina resident, told The Tribune on Friday that he owns 11 Rocket Fizz locations nationwide, and believed the SLO location would be a good opportunity to add a new hub.
“I think San Luis Obispo is the best city in California,” said Sallada, who previously lived in Ventura. “I really liked this location, and when I found out it was available, I saw it as a great opportunity.”
As he was stocking the shop on Thursday, Sallada said a group of people gathered around the business, located at 699 Higuera St. near Kreuzberg coffee.
“I wasn’t planning to open, but we had about 30 people curious and standing outside and so I said, ‘I guess we’re open,’” he added.
The store will feature mostly the same products that the former business offered since it first opened eight years ago.
Those include Pocky sticks, a chocolate covered candy originally made in Japan; Choco Pie snack cakes; giant rainbow lollipops; citrus twist sodas and more.
Sallada said the stores hours will be 10 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 to 10 p.m. or so on Thursday through Sunday, with some flexibility around those times.
Rocket Fizz has more than 80 of locations nationwide, according to its website.
“This store has been in the Top 10 (for sales) among Rocket Fizzes before,” Sallada said. “I think it’s a great opportunity. ... And Farmers’ Market is coming back soon, which is great as well.”
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