You could be your own Willy Wonka north of Ellison Bay after the owners of Uncle Tom’s Candy Store announced last week they would be putting it up for sale. Heather and Jim Laughlin have owned the store for 25 years, making thousands of pounds of fudge, barks, and brittles along the way. The candy-making business has taken its toll on Heather Laughlin, who makes much of the candy she sells by hand. The hope now is that whoever buys their home that is attached to the store carries on the Uncle Tom’s tradition that started before Heather used to ride her bike there as a little girl before she eventually bought it. She says there is a lot she will miss about the store, but it is time to move on.

It is not quite goodbye yet for the Laughlins and Uncle Tom’s Candy Store. She still expects to be running the store through the holidays at the very least and could open up again next year if the house and the adjoining business do not sell.