Feature Friday | Megan Bowen | Candy Everything

/ 4 December 2014 / 0 Comments

I first met Megan at the Bijou Market last year as a vendor.

Her display was amazing, all the bright colors totally drew me in. I think she was the first gal I was brave enough to ask if she wanted to trade, which, luckily, she did! I brought home some of her candy deer, and honestly, I never ate them, I have them as decoration in my house instead. They are that pretty! Of course, I chose orange. Isn't it stunning?

So without further adieu, here's the lovely Megan.

Hello!

I live in downtown Salt Lake with my husband and almost two year-old daughter. We love living in an old neighborhood with walk-ability to almost anything. I worked in the non-profit and social service sector until our girl was born, when I chose to stay home with her. I realized I needed an outlet and decided to take a family tradition and turn it into a business. My great great great grandfather had a candy shop in Salt Lake (where City Creek is now) using molds that he brought with him when he traveled as a pioneer to Utah. It has always been a family Christmas tradition to make candy using copies of his molds. My family has collected over 50 additional antique molds as well as my ancestor's candy roller machines. While the candy has always been part of my life, it is a unique tradition that I wanted to share with those around me. It is always fun to find antique molds to add to our collection as well as seeing people's excitement when they look at all the shapes of candy I can make.

Since it is the holidays, I wanted to share some of my favorite holiday events in Salt Lake in addition to seeing the lights on Temple Square.

The first is Christkindlmarkt. This is a fun and free outdoor German Christmas market on the plaza This is the Place Heritage Park. (The Salt Project is trying to go on Saturday.) There are vendors, amazing food, concerts, children's parades, Father Christmas and his reindeer, concerts and programs. It is one of the most fun events I have been to and a sure way to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. It runs December 4-6 from 11am-8pm each day.
(disclaimer: I am a vendor at this event)

If you haven't been to a Lower Lights concert you are missing out on a great evening. This is a great folk group that does hymns and classic Christmas songs in a family friendly concert. They have no age restrictions and so you can celebrate with the whole family. This year they have local guest artists such as Fictionist and Peter Breinholt joining them. The performances are in the Masonic Temple, so it is an added bonus to get to see inside that historic building. The concert dates are December 13-20th (excluding Sunday the 14th). I love how it is later in the month, because I feel that everything seems to get scheduled at the beginning of December. (Umm, Harmony here, I just listened to a WHOLE bunch of the songs. They take traditional songs and make them so much more lovely. Check them out here!)

Lastly, If you come to Temple Square I would recommend skipping the long lines for mediocre hot chocolate and head up into the Avenues to Hatch Family Chocolates for amazing hot chocolate and treats. It is about a 2-3 minute drive from Temple Square and absolutely amazing. The Karmel Malone is my recommendation, a super deluxe rice crispy treat that is perfect for sharing. Also, if you go on Monday nights the store has magicians and a really talented balloon artist.