If you get the opportunity to ask Kirstin Nice, owner of M&J Gourmet of Pennsburg, what the best part of owning a candy store is, she'll be sure to answer with enthusiasm and a smile.

        "I like knowing where my food is coming from and that it's natural, locally grown and made."

        Nice opened her store in June 2015 with the idea of providing a personal touch through specialty items that are unique and customized to a person's liking. She wanted to have people walk away from her store with a smile and a desire to return.

        "I really think people like to be greeted as soon as they come in the door and to just be able to walk away with an experience that is positive, so they want to come back," Nice explained.

        M&J Gourmet offers about 50 percent bulk candy and about 50 percent gourmet foods that are prepackaged and shipped to her store for purchase. There are 22 different flavors of truffles many of which are gluten free, Asher's chocolates, Gardner's candies, Stonewall Kitchen products, Salem baking items, The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg items, and USDA organic teas from Tea Forte.

        Nice noted the latest "attraction" to her offerings are fudge bars from the Chocolate Moonshine Company. They come in a variety of flavors, are all natural, corn syrup-free, and are made in Pennsylvania.

        Nice also offers a variety of customized gift baskets, bags and arrangements as well as favors and trays for showers or parties. She prides herself on being able to create a gift designed to fit a particular preference and customer's budget.

        Since Nice is very involved in bringing local products into her store and because she lives in the area with her husband and two young boys, she decided to create an open house event to bring other local businesses together.

        On Thurs., Feb. 11 from 3-7 p.m. Nice opened the doors of her store to four other local businesses who offered samples and tastings of their products in an effort to support each other in their ventures.

        The Valentine's Open House event was a huge success, according to Nice, who believes around 200 people showed up to view and sample products from Weyerbacher of Easton, A'Dello Vineyard and Winery, Black Sea Jewelers, Java Good Day Cafe with honey tasting, and Knots In Knead Massage Therapy.

        "The whole experience was awesome. It's about being very supportive of each other as local business owners," said Nice.

        M&J Gourmet is located at 1267 Quakertown Avenue, Pennsburg, 215-679-8650. Business hours are Tues. through Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-4, and Sun. 10-2.