BOISE, Idaho — Lee Nokleby opened his candy shop in downtown Boise in 1947, Lee's Candies.
He then moved it to Vista Village on the Boise bench in 1972.
For more than 77 years, locals have known it as Lee's Candies.
Lee used recipes from his father to hand-craft chocolates and confections. It survived new owners, the original recipes and the company's motto, "never change your quality," have remained as timeless as the sign outside the shop.
Well, some things are changing, with an addition and with a return to its roots.
Unwrapping something sweet after 77 years. For Lee's Candies owner, Katie Fernandez, it's time to whip up a new batch of opportunities.
"This is the grand opening of our second location," said Fernandez.
Lee's Candies' second shop is in downtown Boise. The first shop opened in 1947 on Jefferson Street, and with this new spot just down the road, it not only pays homage to its past, but Fernandez said the foot traffic also sweetens the deal.
"That's something we don't see it as people come to Vista Village to come to the candy store," she said. "They don't have to kind of walk around, whereas downtown people are out to eat, they're out looking at things we're right by Freak Alley, so a lot more foot traffic a lot more exposure."
Why are they just now expanding after 77 successful years?
"You know, I don't know, I think we were feeling pretty cozy and comfortable with what we were doing," she said. "But as the valley has grown, we decided maybe it was time for us to grow."
Fernandez said she doesn't want people to worry.
The Lee's Candies in Vista Village isn't closing, and there will just be two places to fix that sweet tooth now.
There is no sugarcoating it. Though, what will this mean for their motto, 'Never change your quality?'
She said don't fear, she has a solid team to ensure they can keep up with the demand.
"I really relied a lot on my employees who are awesome and do a great job my production manager, I am checking in with her regularly and like are you feeling overwhelmed yet? Is it too much but she's cool as a cucumber," she said. "She's just that production and we're doing just fine."
Dozens of people filled the store, excited about the new location.
Like their chocolate, Fernandez is eager to see how the business will unwrap and form from here.
"I hope we just keep growing," she said. "They love to see maybe in the future at this point as well. Maybe we open up a third location and just take it from there."