Bruce’s Candy Kitchen

Published 5:00 pm Monday, March 31, 2008

Candy-addicted customers anxiously awaiting a taste of taffy made in Bruce’s Candy Kitchen don’t have to wait any longer.

The candy store, a fixture in downtown Cannon Beach for 45 years, has re-opened after a four-month expansion project.

Another 1,400 square feet was added to the building after an adjacent gift shop was gutted. The new building houses a taffy kitchen and a separate temperature-controlled chocolate kitchen that stays cool.

While the building is different, the popular viewing area remains. Crowds can still gather along the sidewalk at 256 N. Hemlock St. and watch taffy being rolled or chocolate being stirred. The show goes on even inside the store.

“The kitchen is still just as open as ever, and there are windows inside, too,” said Susan Truax, co-owner. “The big show with taffy is still front and center.”

The former store is roomier now, Truax said, and there’s space for gift items.

Docked in the store’s center is a taffy boat with three masts something new to Bruce’s which allows customers to reach taffy from all sides. Best of all, there are at least six more taffy flavors to choose from 26 in all.

Truax, who had become weary of the remodeling process, decided on the spur of the moment to reopen the store on March 15 without any huge celebration. The customers were ready.

“I just decided, ‘We are opening today.’ It was a good day.”