Bridgeport Residents Open New Businesses Up I-79N at Middletown Commons after Lengthy Run at Mall
By Jeff Toquinto on September 05, 2023
A pair of long-time businesses that have left the Meadowbrook Mall recently are finding success at their new locations just down Interstate 79 in Marion County.
The two businesses – Candylicious and Cell City – are doing well at their new site. They are currently located in the Middletown Commons, formerly the site of Middletown Mall. Locals may recall the stores under their previous names in Bridgeport of Candy Unlimited and Cell
Accessories.
Accessories.
Bridgeport residents Bobbi Jo and Gary Anderson are finding success at the still relatively new development just north of the city. According to Bobbi Jo, one business move was facilitated by the need for a larger space, while the other was facilitated due to a lease agreement with another cell phone service provider.
It was the candy store, in place for 16 years, that required more space. Even knowing that, Bobbi Jo said it was hard to leave a familiar location.
“It was nerve wracking because in business you rely so much on what you know and what you are dealing with. Plus, at the mall, you know kids come there, buses stop there, so you had built in traffic,” said Bobbi Jo. “At a free-standing facility that we’re in now, which is like an outlet mall, 
you have non-impulse shoppers coming to get what they want, and candy is an impulse buy. That made the move scary.
you have non-impulse shoppers coming to get what they want, and candy is an impulse buy. That made the move scary.
The move, which came several months ago, has exceeded expectations. She said the risk has proven worth it.
“We’ve actually been doing better since coming here; we have so much more room and have added items,” she said.
The square footage is significantly larger – nearly four times. She said the new shop is roughly 2,400 square feet.
And the new items are helping to drive sales. Along with the standard fare, new features such as the World of M&Ms, a saltwater taffy set up, vintage candies, ethnic candies, and plenty of space for customers wanting to be involved in TikTok competitions has added up to success.
“We needed more space, and it’s working,” she said.
The store hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is 304-816-3278.
The other move was facilitated by Meadowbrook Mall, Bobbi Joe. The parent company, the Cafaro Corporation, she said, signed a contract with a business for exclusive cell phone services with more than a dozen malls that essentially ended their run after eight years.
The new Cell City has actually been at Middletown Commons since December. That, too, is going well, Bobbi Jo said.
“What’s worked great with this is word of mouth, and a lot of companies knowing about us,” said Bobbi Jo.
The company specializes in accessories for cell phones. Along with those products and more, she said the business is getting ready to sell pre-paid phones.
“It’s a really nice, new space. It is actually right behind the candy store. You can go through the candy store and into the cell store,” Bobbi Jo said. The two stores were not close together at the mall.
That connection has helped with something else. Bobbi Jo said if you buy something at one store, you can get a 20 percent discount at the other.
The store hours are the same at 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number listed on the Facebook page is the same as the candy store at 304-816-3278.
Editor's Note: Top two photos show the exterior and interior of Candylicious, respectively. Bottom photo shows some of the selection at Cell City.
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