May 27, 1921: Sweet Shop in La Crosse celebrates 100 years

May 27, 1921 — 100 years ago today — that was the day a little candy store in La Crosse first opened.

Today, the Sweet Shop is still there, on Caledonia Street, celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

Halloween to Valentine’s Day is the busy season. Now, however, things get a little hectic, as kids are starting to get out of school for summer — and out of a pandemic.  While candy is the go-to, summer time always calls for an ice cream cone, as well from the store.

The Sweet Shop has been owned by the Espe family for nearly all of that time — 92 years, in fact.

The candy store’s oldest recipe is one that must have been created during the Great Depression: Anise Candy — otherwise known as black licorice.

WIZM wrote a feature on the Sweet Shop back in 2019, which can be read here.