Located in Richland, WA

About How Sweet It Is

Find the Best Variety of International Candies & Pop Culture Gifts

How Sweet It Is, your specialty candy store. We carry candies you can’t and won't find at a grocery store. We have pop culture gifts that can appeal to everyone so you can find fun gifts and unique things everyone can enjoy. Our space is a place to feel happy and experience the joy of life. Candy holds a sense of nostalgia for many people. Here you can think back on some of your favorite memories, be playful, and experience new things, create new happy memories that lift you up, and help you connect and celebrate with those you love most.

Our Vision & Mission

How Sweet It Is exists to enrich people’s lives. We offer a wide variety of international & specialty candy, along with pop culture gifts, making it easy to spread kindness and joy with the people in your life.

Ultimately, we are here to make the world a little brighter.

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Our Core Values

Everybody needs a positive place where they can be themselves, and enjoy their time in the space. How Sweet It Is is here to bring fun experiences and more happiness to everyone who walks in our doors. We are here to provide more fun & unique experiences for kids, and parents and teenagers alike. Our goal is to help spread joy and kindness and help you do the same.
We know our products, and take the time to do our best to find what you are looking for. We are always learning and expanding our understanding of our products, and unique candy from around the world. We love helping you find what you are looking for, so if you have a request don’t hesitate to ask us.
You can count on us to show up. We genuinely care. We love cheering you on and taking an interest in your life and who you are as a person. We are reliable and dependable because we truly want to be there for you and help create fun for you and those you care about.
We believe in service with a smile. Our goal is that you walk into our store and you feel comfortable and safe. We are here to let you shop without expectations and to be a resource without any pressure. We want you to have fun and enjoy your time and experience when you are with us.
You can count on us to be clear in our communication with you. We are here to answer your questions, be helpful, and be available to help you find what you are looking for.

The How Sweet it Is Story

In 2020 during lockdown, my hours had been greatly reduced, so I was spending lots of time at home. I had always wanted to start a business, and with lots of time to think, I asked myself, “what’s something interesting, fun, and unique to the area that I can do?

I knew I wanted to do something that involved candy. I have so many fond memories going to a candy store as a kid. I thought combining that love with gifts would be a rewarding direction. I knew brick and mortar was not possible at that time; everything felt pretty daunting and I knew I didn’t know so many things about starting a business. So I decided to go online first and do mobile delivery. In August of 2020, I sold international and specialty limited offerings as well as some gifts and gift baskets, and I was delivering all around the Tri-Cities, WA area.

I did this for a few months, and I started pop-ups around town, and I was successfully making sales each and every week, no matter what.

After my initial success, I decided to explore this idea and this business a bit more. I started looking at potentially having a storefront, and I found a space that I loved, but it wasn’t for lease. I thought to myself “I really want that space; how do I get that space?” Later, I ended up starting my space in Public Market in June of 2021.

I signed up and was successful there, but I knew it wasn’t the ultimate end goal. I knew I had a good idea, and I was not ready to give up on it. Eventually, I found the space I’m in now by Howard Amon Park.

I opened the space in December 2022. I began working on building up our inventory and taking everything one step at a time. I’m so happy with how things are currently. I always see room for improvement. I have big dreams and a big purpose. I did something really crazy, and I made ideas and dreams I had for years into a reality. I’m so proud of the part I get to play, and the feelings of joy I get to bring to the world.

Thanks for being part of the How Sweet It Is journey!

Diana

Learn More About the Shop

Meet the Team