Andy's Candy Apothecary Readying To Fill Long-Vacant Hole In Downtown Sacramento

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The winner of a downtown Sacramento competition is preparing to open his dream shop.

Andy Paul's dream of becoming a business owner will be realized when he opens Andy's Candy Apothecary next month on Ninth Street.

He beat out nearly 50 other applicants in a competition put on by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership to win free rent for a year for his new business in a storefront that has sat empty for years.

"It felt like the race was to win the contest, and then the real race began," he said.

Part of his winnings include $135,000 from the partnership, $10,000 of which he received Monday that he says will help with construction costs.

The Dailey Method, a workout studio, was the runner up and its owners got $100,000 to open their site in the same building.

Paul says without the partnership's help through the process, none of this could have been possible.

"If they really want more businesses like this—that represent unique ideas and unique offerings—you just need that little boost," he said. I'm really looking forward to what this block will look like in a year or two. It'll be great."

The partnership hopes to turn the event that's giving Paul his start into an annual competition for years to come.

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