After 20 years as the owner/operator of Granny Hazel’s Candy & Gifts in Westport’s Marina District, Lou Burrell recently hung up his candy kitchen apron for the last time and has happily moved on to retirement in sunnier climes.
Burrell sold his business and home to new owners Randy and Janene Dixon, who have completed a seamless and speedy transition to operating in full summer mode, with Granny Hazel’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both were busy last Saturday afternoon, engaging a steady flow of customers with cheery smiles and upbeat conversation as they efficiently rang up and packaged sales.
“We are totally delighted to be here,” said Randy. “We searched 18 months specifically for a fun candy shop business in the Pacific Northwest, California and even Nevada before finding this one, and it’s exactly what we were looking for,” he said.
Janene says she sincerely believes this business opportunity was waiting for them. “My grandma’s name was Hazel Day and she was my rock. We all called her Granny Hazel. It’s like this was just meant to be,” she said. “Our Granny Hazel will continue to live on through this business.”
Lots of candy, gifts souvenirs & clothes
Granny Hazel’s not only offers a huge variety of salt water taffy and a wide selection of all kinds of candies, including lots of sugar free varieties. The back area of the store is chock full of coats, jackets, sweats, Tees, caps and other casual clothing well worth a look-see.
Up front in the area next to the candy shop, you’ll find hundreds of souvenirs and gift items from mugs to magnets, key chains to shells, stuffed animals to pirate gear and much, much more.
For your convenience, there’s also an ATM machine inside, and right next to it, one of those old-fashioned wonderful penny-squishing machines that you can stamp into a souvenir token for your keychain. Come on, baby boomers, how can you resist a nostalgic opportunity like this?
The Dixons say they plan to keep the store’s layout and offerings essentially the same through the summer season, then start working this fall on kitchen improvements, replacing flooring and making changes to display areas, as well as bring in new lines of items over the fall and winter months.
They also plan to remain open year around.
Career shifts
Randy recently retired from an 18-year position with the City of Tacoma as a public works supervisor. Janene left her nearly 11-year position in administration with the City of Lakewood to make the move to Westport.
In addition to the skills they’ve accrued throughout their professional careers, the Dixons also bring retail business experience to their new venture. They previously owned and operated a seasonal Christmas crafts store, saying that they really enjoyed interacting with the public.
“After so many years of government work, we are really looking forward to sharing the fun of folks’ vacation time in Westport,” said Janene. The also intend to participate in community activities and events, and have kicked off that effort by already donating items for the City of Westport’s National Night Out event next Tuesday evening.
Family & friends
Married 34 years, the Dixons have two daughters. Sherri Templeton and her husband Jeff live in Gig Harbor with the Dixon’s only grandchild, Holly, age 3. Daughter Kim and her husband, Alex Khan, live in Kirkland.
The Dixons don’t come to the South Beach as complete strangers. Retired Westport Police Officer Chuck Cunningham and his wife Cindy, the City’s Court Clerk, have known the couple for many years. Randy and Chuck have been friends since elementary school and Chuck was Randy’s Best Man at their wedding.
Stop by to say hello and welcome the newest business owners in Westport’s Marina District.