GREENWICH VILLAGE — Another candy store is opening on Bleecker Street.
Stieber’s Sweet Shoppe, a family-owned business that has a location in Roseville, Calif., recently signed a 12-year lease at 195 Bleecker St., the former Bleecker Deli spot, and hopes to open in early March, owner Larry Stieber said Wednesday.
“We’re just going to be a good neighborhood candy store,” said Stieber, who opened the California shop a year ago. “We’re going to work very hard on community relations, and we’re going to stand out. When you see what our store’s going to look like, it’ll be impressive.”
Stieber's sells Lemon Creme Almonds coated with white chocolate and lemon candy, Sea-Salted Caramel Balls with dark or milk chocolate, Jelly Belly brand jelly beans and assorted chocolates, according to their website.
The company's decision to expand to New York was partly motivated by family ties — Stieber's niece, Lee Manne, lives in the East Village and will run the new Bleecker Street store.
After working in television production the past six years, Manne, 28, wanted to try something different.
“I’m just ready to do something that’s my own,” she said. “Something that makes people happy.”
Bleecker Street has become something of a candy row recently, with the opening of London Candy Company a couple months ago and multiple other sellers of gelato, macarons and more nearby.
Still, Howard Levine, manager of London Candy Company, said he welcomed the new competition.
"The Village is booming with all the foot traffic down here," he said. "Everybody should be able to quench their sweet tooth."
