West Dundee candy shop owner hoping Facebook can help him sell business

After having his business listed with a real estate broker for a year and not finding a buyer, Around the Corner Candy owner Bill Apostol has turned to Facebook as a way to sell his West Dundee business.

“The shop has 5,700 followers on Facebook so I thought I would give it a try,” Apostol said. “Within the first few hours of putting up a post, three people showed interest. Now there are five people who are seriously looking into buying the store.”

Those potential buyers include a retired teacher and a chocolatier, he said.

Around the Corner Candy opened in 1998 at 107 S. Second St. in downtown West Dundee and moved to its current location at 101 S. First St. in 2017. Apostol has owned the business for 4½ years.

The business sells a variety of sweets, including fine chocolates and nostalgic brands such as wax bottles, bubble gum cigars and Clark bars. Current favorites include gummies, freeze-dried treats and gift items, like socks bearing silly sayings.

During the Christmas season, Apostol’s wife, Jeanne, has been known to dress as Mrs. Claus at the shop, which is especially fun during East and West Dundee’s hold Dickens in Dundee festival, he said.

“The cool part is people come in with their kids or their grandkids and the reaction is the same as when I was a kid,” Apostol said.

Prices for candy have gone up dramatically in the last four years, he said, with the costs associated with finer chocolates doubling. Still, over the years, the store has kept a loyal customer base, he said.

While not disclosing the asking price for the shop, Apostol said it would be reasonable and includes both the business and its inventory. Developer Frank Tomasello owns the building, and the men have talked about Tomasello leasing to a new owner.

Apostol stressed that while he is selling Around the Corner, he has no intention of the store going out of business.

“I’m just looking to do other things. My wife will be retiring soon, and we may be moving,” he said. “New owners would bring their own fresh energy and ideas for marketing the business.”

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.