WEST ALLIS — At Freese's Candy Shoppe in West Allis, doors have been open since 1928.
Generations of candy lovers have stepped through those doors to get their chocolate fix but despite being open for nine decades, owner Wendy Matel said this is one of the hardest things she has gone through.
Business is down dramatically and Matel is taking a double hit. She also owns Heavenly Roasted Nuts. Normally, they would sell their roasted nuts at Miller Park and the Wisconsin Center but now business is non-existent.
“We have never had where you’re just completely shut down half of your business; you can’t do anything,” said Matel.
The store that was once packed now only allows two people in at a time to pick up orders. With Easter around the corner, normally the orders would be coming in quickly for hot items like chocolate Easter baskets and their Butter Cream Eggs.
Despite slow business, Matel said she is dedicated to staying open to provide some joy to for customers.
“It’s a little bit of normalcy for people. I have this amazing customer who comes in every other week, her husband passed away and this is the only thing that makes her happy and for her, I will take it to her just to make her happy."
Matel is working with other businesses like Rupena's Fine Foods to help sell their items. She said although times are very difficult, now more than ever we have to look out for one another.
“Everybody is doing the best they can to survive something we have never been through before,” she said.
Freese's Candy Shoppe offers carryout, local deliveries and curbside if requested. Their hours will change after Easter. For more information, click here.