The Davenport
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When I heard that Walt Worthy was purchasing the hotel to be restored, I took a chance and decided to contact him about having Aunt Sophia's candy used for the Turn Down Treat. I bought a reproduction of an old trunk and filled it full of my candy and included a story of Aunt Sophia's history at the hotel.
The day before I contacted the hotel about presenting my idea to Walt, a lady had brought down a confectionary pad that was embossed with the words "Davenport Chocolates, candies worthy of the name, Spokane Wash.". I believe it was her mother's from quite some time ago and when she heard of Walt and Karen renovating the hotel she thought the hotel should have it back.
I really believe fate brought me to the hotel that day. When I met with Walt he said he was trying to find me or the recipe as he had had the candy before and knew of the history with the hotel. After a few discussions, he offered me 200 Sq Ft of Retail Space down in the lobby at the First Street Entrance. He wanted the Soft Peanut Butter Brittle brought to each room every night as the turn down treat.
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The decision was made March 17th, 2002 to begin a new business called "The Davenport Hotel Candy Shoppe". By the middle of May my father-Ray Kensok-who was then 78 years old along with my husband and son-in-law finished work on a new factory in my daughter's back yard. My dad built all of our counters, tables, guides and other equipment needed for our new venture. My daughter, Amy, and I hired 7 workers to help make our first candy to stock our shelves.
I asked Walt if I could pass out a sample of our candy and a card with our history and shop hours to each guest that came to the grand opening. I wanted to reach as many people as I could and let them know of our new retail shop. From past experience I knew the best way to sell my candy was by sampling. It is really hard for people to understand the concept of "soft" Peanut Brittle until they actually taste it!
He agreed and let me have 1000 sq ft of space in the hotel to sell my candy during the Grand Opening. By July 15th 2002 we were able to come up with 10 products to fill the new shop and over 750 lbs of samples of our Soft Peanut Butter Brittle.
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The hotel was anticipating 5,000-8,000 people coming to the two day Grand Opening. After two days, we passed out over 12,000 samples. The line went halfway around the block to our store to purchase our candy and hear more of Aunt Sophia's story. We sold nearly everything we brought and shared so many stories with wonderful people who had worked at the hotel, known Aunt Sophia and even a gentleman who worked for Aunt Sophia at the hotel. I knew at the end of the day I had made the right decision.
Amy and I both quit our jobs in June, built our factory, with the help of family and friends, came up with a new packaging line, products and a retail shop in a few short months. I feel every time I enter my shop, Aunt Sophia is right there with me.
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