Down to Business: Naper Nuts & Sweets marking its 24th year in downtown Naperville under current owner
Business: Naper Nuts & Sweets
Address: 10 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville
Phone/website: 630-355-5330; www.napernutsandsweets.com
Owner: Dominique Martucci, 60, of Naperville
Years in business: 24
What does your business do? 'I have one retail shop and I do wholesale. It's about 65% retail, 35% wholesale,' Martucci said. 'It's three things: candy, caramel corn and gummies. The trifecta that makes the candy shop successful.'
Wholesale? 'For the last 20 years I've been building the branding of Naper Nuts & Sweets. (We are) in Grand Geneva Resort, all the Marcus Corp. hotels. We just got Eagle Ridge in Geneva. We've been in 650 Hobby Lobby stores. We are in Marriott, Hilton, Casey's Foods in Naperville. Fresh Market just contacted me.'
Why caramel corn? 'When I bought this, I asked the second owner, Ellie Kulton, what she'd do. She said, 'Make caramel corn.' She navigated me. I created my own recipe. It's the No. 1 thing we sell. It has been the greatest blessing.'
What makes your caramel corn different? 'The way we cook it and the ingredients. One of our managers (Viv Marciniak) does this 40 hours a week. She's a huge asset. … The mix is in my pantry.'
What's with all the nostalgic candies? 'I've narrowed it to what the customers like. Mary Janes. Bulls-Eyes are No. 1. Satellite wafers, we sell thousands of those each week. Kids love them. … We give dentists so much business. I have my teeth cleaned three times a year because I know better.'
What should people know? 'My big passion is the troops. My stepfather served. We ship caramel corn to the troops, it's called Operation Caramel Corn, ever since 9/11. … They send me photos from all over the world.'
Why do this? 'Because I got through that first year (of ownership during which) 9/11 hit and that was horrifying to me. … Gratitude. I live by that word.'
What do you like about your job? 'I love the sentimental feeling of going back in time. When you see a pack of Black Jack gum and what it makes someone feel like. That's what the candy shop is all about. The customers of Naperville have been so loyal. They've been with me through thick and thin. … It has never felt like a job. It's about the people, whether it's the troops, the customers, the employees.'
Any negatives? 'I don't like when prices go up. … The biggest challenge is the cost of commodities (like) the cost of butter. Chocolate is a big one right now.'
How many vendors do you work with? 'I probably have 50 vendors. We have little places all over.'
What's the background? 'I grew up in Cleveland. Then I was a Texas girl. Went to college there. … (My ex-husband) got transferred (to Chicago). I fell in love with it. It reminded me of Cleveland. … This candy shop opened in 1983. I'm the third owner. I've owned it since May 6, 2001.'
Why did you buy it? 'I was going through a tough year. My kids went to Washington Junior High. It was convenient. This was advertised for sale on the cover of the business section of The Naperville Sun. Swear to God. … A girlfriend saw it and said 'Let's do it together.' I didn't think twice. … I bought her out three months later. … I give God all the glory for this candy shape. He's not only blessed me with this candy shop, but with my fiancée, Jeff Moudry. He works here.'
What's your favorite candy? 'These chocolate peanut butter cups from a small vendor in Cicero. The peanut butter is homemade.'
Any future plans? 'I'm still considering another Naper Nuts & Sweets.'
Any favorite stories? 'That comes down to the troops because they are my heroes. When they walk into the candy shop and I meet them face to face, that truly touches me. … We created a red white and blue bag we only ship to the troops.'
What's an employee say? 'I like how easygoing it is here, and the fast pace of (making) the popcorn,' Marciniak, 33, of Harvey, said.
How did the pandemic impact your business? 'Of the 20 employees I had at the time, two were willing to still work. Jeff, me and the two employees continued to work. We did curbside, Uber Eats, DoorDash, the website, wholesale. We made the best of a bad situation.'
What's your advice for someone starting a business? 'Be passionate about what you're doing. That's key to me. … You have to have more capital than you think. You have to find the right location. Ultimately, you have to give the glory to God and pray.'
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