Mint Smoothie® Advent Calendar
The holiday season is underway at a Stratford store that has created memories for generations of families.
Founded in 1969, Rhéo Thompson Candies brings the joy of the season to shoppers in countless ways. From its famous chocolate to elegantly wrapped gifts and holiday home decor, this is where folks come to enjoy the festive season, says Robyn Lusk, the company’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator. “We are honoured that people have chosen Rhéo Thompson to be a part of their special moments. It’s tradition, like Grandma giving her kids and grandkids our candies because it’s the exact same recipe as the one she enjoyed when she was a child.”
Lusk says a popular item that helps kick off the season is the Mint Smoothie® Advent Calendar. Local artist Scott McKowen uses a unique hand-carving technique to create beautiful renditions of Stratford architecture for the calendars. The sixth edition is launched, and for the first time it will feature a church — Holy Trinity Anglican Church (formerly St. James). “It’s a historical landmark,” Lusk says. “If you’ve been downtown and heard church bells pealing, that is St. James. It’s nostalgic for anyone who has spent time in the core to hear the bells.” Other calendar selections are also available, such as the old Court House edition.
Candy Board inspiration for holiday entertaining
While the iconic Mint Smoothie continues to be the top seller at Rhéo Thompson Candies, there is a treat for everyone’s taste here. This year the shop will offer Peppermint Holiday Bark for the season.
“It’s white chocolate sprinkled with crushed homemade candy cane. It is divine,” Lusk says. “There’s a little crunch, a little sweetness and mint to it. It tastes like Christmas.”
Store designers have been busy getting the shop ready for the holiday kickoff. “They have done a fabulous job working Canadian-made products into their designs. They’ve been incorporating local shops as much as possible for our gift elements,” she says. The Stratford BIA will also have carollers in Victorian garb downtown during the season. “If you come on a weekend, often there will be carolers that stop by. It’s such a beautiful moment in the store.”
Assorted Fruit Jellies
