When Melanie Fuentes started ChilOSO in 2014, she was simply looking for a way to make extra diaper money. Now she’s moving into a 2,000 square foot brick-and-mortar location in Northridge for customers to come and visit.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe I could accomplish everything I have. This business allowed me to pay off my debt, buy our first home and now I am opening my own store,” she posted onto Instagram last month.
Though it started out as So Sweet Candy Buffets, the name later changed to ChilOSO Gummy Bear when it was clear it was the sweet and spicy gummies that customers wanted most.
“Right now I have a cottage permit, but I outgrew it… I outgrew it several years ago,” Fuentes explained about the location change. “We’ll be selling prepackaged gummies like we always have. We just needed a bigger spot.”
The new location will be in a strip market in Northridge at 8242 Louise Ave right by Leo’s Superfood Vegan Cafe and Peru’s Taste Restaurant.
“It used to be a market,” Fuentes said. “All I’m adding is equipment.”
She said she’s going through permitting processes now and hopes to open in the summer.
With a wide assortment of gummy products available online such as sour worms and pineapple bears, all with a bit of a kick to it, Fuentes envisions still selling prepackaged gummies at the new store with options for customers to customize and buy their own.
