When Stamford-based Jessica Gomberg Cohen and New Canaan-based Lana Powers met through their children’s preschool, the last thing on their minds was candy. “We were always seeing each other in the same workout classes, talking about what we’re feeding our families and looking for cleaner ingredients,” Lana tells Westport Lifestyle. The two bonded over their commitment to feeding their kids better-for-you foods and avoiding artificial dyes. So when the Swedish candy boom hit the U.S., the artificial-dye-free sweets sparked inspiration. Lana had just sold her public relations company, Powers PR, and wanted to take her brand-building knowledge to a new challenge. Jessica, a real estate agent, was ready to dive in with her friend. In July, they launched Candy Riot, a modern candy brand bringing a highly curated selection of artificial-dye-free Swedish sweets to events, celebrations, and everyday gifting (with e-commerce coming soon!) across Fairfield County and beyond. From its interactive Riot Cart to curated candy tables, trays, and signature bags, Candy Riot is creating an elevated new way to experience candy.
The name comes from the idea that this is not your traditional candy experience. This is a rebellion from not just artificially dyed treats, but the name Candy Riot captures the spirit of the brand: playful, bold and just rebellious enough—think an unexpected edge balanced by an elevated aesthetic that feels at home anywhere from a backyard birthday to a black-tie affair. “Everything I learned while building Powers PR is now transferring over to Candy Riot,” says Lana. One of their genius PR-ified touches is that they deliberately left the body of the Candy Riot cart blank, so they can create custom signage for brands, weddings, bar mitzvahs—anything, really—that can wrap around it. They can also make custom candy bags and curate the color scheme or candy shapes to provide an ultra-personalized favor that guests will definitely remember. Even though Candy Riot is new, Jessica says that Fairfield County embraced the concept quickly. “We are so grateful for how the community has shown up,” she says. “We feel tremendous support from local stores, which was really important to us, because we want to be there to support them, too.”
One of the best things about the Candy Riot, say Lana and Jessica, is that there’s so much in-person connection—it’s not a behind-the-computer-screen online storefront, it’s about being together at parties and events. “We wanted to build something that felt personal,” Lana says. “You rarely see one brand at events nowadays—brands want to align with other like-minded brands. We are really happy to be able to do that.” (Just in their first month, Candy Riot appeared at a collaboration event with Westport-based The Haus of Mahj and gifted sweets to a fundraiser for the local nonprofit Hearts In Harmony Foundation.)
If you book the Candy Riot cart for an event, you can expect that personalized touch in all the planning. They offer scoop-your-own bags with 12 candy varieties, each labeled with the country of origin, any possible allergens, and a description of the taste and texture. They also offer specialty gifting for hostess gifts or party favors without the full cart experience. Everything is filled with the kind of thoughtful details only a PR pro would think of. “I was really scared to build a second business,” admits Lana. “But seeing everyone’s reactions and support makes it so worthwhile. I really feel like this is what I was meant to do as my second act.”
To reach out, follow @wearecandyriot on Instagram.
“We are so grateful for how the community has shown up,” Jessica says.