BELLEVUE, Ky. — Kelly Morgan said she was 13 years old when she first started making candy at Schneider’s Sweet Shop. 

It’s the shop her parents owned and operated. Kelly’s surname was Schneider before getting married. To make sure she kept the name, she legally changed her middle name to Schneider. Now, she’s taking her middle name and her love for the candy shop to a new level. She bought the store from her father and she’s now the new owner.

“Well, I didn’t want it to go to a stranger. It’s our family tradition. I was afraid if I didn’t do it, it would just kind of end. So we’ve got 83 years now. My goal is to take it to 100,” Morgan said.

The shop was owned originally by Morgan’s grandparents. Her dad, Jack Schneider, said he grew up in the upstairs portion of the building and has worked in the shop his whole life. In 1986, he bought it from his parents. 

“My dad’s probably shocked at how it went. It grew and grew and grew. And I hope for her that it grows and grows and grows,” Schneider said, talking about his daughter’s future with the shop.

Morgan said she’s continuously learning from her father about how to make all the magic happen. One of the to-do list items they tackle together is making Opera Cream, a big seller in the shop. Schneider said it even sells nationwide. Despite the recent change in ownership, Morgan said her parents will still be around at the shop. Family is important.

“We’re family, so obviously we get mad at each other sometimes and frustrated, but it’s awesome. I wouldn’t change it. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.

Over time, a couple of additional employees have been hired on who have also become part of the family. Morgan said she’s got nieces and nephews who are also already working in the shop. She’s married with a toddler, and hopes her son finds a love for this business like she did.

“Our goal is to always keep it in the family,” she said.

Schneider’s is open most days, except Mondays, and is on Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue.