Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Harnett.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My first job when I was 16 years old was at Pinches & Pounds in Avon, MA. Back then, Pinches & Pounds had 4 locations with different ownership. I fell in love with the store.
I continued to work there part-time for 10 years. During those years, I graduated high school and also got my bachelors degree in Business Management from UMass Dartmouth. Through those 10 years, the store changed ownership 3 times. I saw first-hand how each owner ran the store and got ideas on what I would do if I owned the store, When I was 18, the owners at the time let me “run” their store while they tended to their other business. I had such an amazing time merchandising the store and got a real idea as to what it would be like to own a store like that. Unfortunately, 3 out of the 4 stores closed down. The Avon location in which I worked at had outlasted them all. It was there for about 17 years the last set of owners wanted to retire, and were looking for a buyer. A fellow employee gave me a call and said they were selling, With the full support of my husband and family, we bought the store. After meeting with the landlord, we found out the rent was raised too much and wouldn’t be able to survive in that location. We found a retail spot in Whitman, which was only 7 miles away from the old location. We’ve been in Whitman now for 9 years.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were many struggles. Firstly, I assumed our old customers would follow us to our new location, it took years and a lot of advertising and still customers are asking us if we’re the same store that was in Avon. Also, when we moved into the Whitman location, there were two stores that were in business next to us. Unfortunately, they both closed and we had to fend for ourselves. Our storefront isn’t facing the street, so being the only business at the end of the building wasn’t easy. There was no foot traffic, we had to rely on our regular customers to survive. It was really hard. Things began to change when 3 1/2 years ago a well-known restaurant opened up a take-out shop next door, and we have been going strong ever since. Business school was right, location, location, location!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pinches & Pounds – what should we know?
Pinches & Pounds in an old-fashioned candy store with a twist. We carry all your childhood favorites as well as new and unique candies. We specialize in candy buffets as well a party favors for all occasions and budgets. You can order candy by the color to match your color scheme. We stress the word FRESH and believe in getting in small quantities more frequently so we can turnover product quickly. We accommodate for all.
We have sugar-free candy as well as gluten-free, peanut-free and low-calorie options. If our customers are looking for certain candy that we don’t have, (it’s rare, but it happens) we can most likely get it in for them, we aim to please, we’re a candy store, candy makes people happy. I have a sign posted “Prices are subject to change according to customers attitude”. We have candy that you don’t see at your typical candy store, such as 5.lb gummy bears and chocolate covered Twinkies. I love that my store allows customers to go back in time and are able to share those candies and memories with their kids and grandkids,
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
We appreciate our customers, we acknowledge them as soon as they walk through the door. We strive to provide them with the best products that are FRESH and affordable.
Contact Info:
- Address: 785 Bedford Street (RT18)
Whitman, MA 02382 - Website: www.mypinchesandpounds.com
- Phone: (781) 447-CNDY(2639)
- Email: pinchesandpounds@gmail.com
- Facebook: Pinches & Pounds
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