Best friends to launch sweet shop together in seaside town
Kala Reeve, right, and Keeley Chaplin, who have opened KK's Sweet Treats in Lowestoft. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021
Two best friends have decided to start their first business together with the launch of a new sweet shop.
Kala Reeve, 41, and Keeley Chaplin, 36, will open K K's Sweet Treats on Queen's Road in Lowestoft on April 12 when non-essential retail is allowed to reopen under the government's roadmap out of lockdown.
Mrs Reeve was inspired to go into business with her best friend of six years for reasons close to home.
KK's Sweet Treats sweet shop in Lowestoft. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021
Mrs Reeve said: "The idea all came about last year. My daughter is autistic and she liked it when I made her a chocolate bouquet with specific chocolates in it.
"All my friends started saying I had a bit of a hidden talent for putting treat bouquets together.
"The idea to set up my own sweet shop kind of came out of that."
She soon realised that she needed a helping hand and asked her friend to step up to the mark.
Kala Reeve, right, and Keeley Chaplin, who have opened KK's Sweet Treats in Lowestoft. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021
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She said: "I soon realised that we actually needed a business premises and we could not operate a shop outside of our houses.
"Keeley was my natural choice of business partner, she is my best friend and we are just on the same wavelength, we bounce off one another."
The pair are currently in the process of setting up the shop, which used to be a hair salon.
KK's Sweet Treats sweet shop in Lowestoft. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021
The shop currently has a click and collect service up and running and then the full shop opening will take place on April 12.
Mrs Reeve said that the shop will incorporate traditional elements of a sweet shop but will have a modern twist.
Kala Reeve, left, and Keeley Chaplin, who have opened KK's Sweet Treats in Lowestoft. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021
She said: "We plan on having some traditional sweets but with a retro and modern twist.
"We will have all sorts, everything from chocolate bouquets to pic n mix and fudge."
Kala Reeve, right, and Keeley Chaplin, who have opened KK's Sweet Treats in Lowestoft. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021
She is hopeful that the roadmap out of the lockdown will mean the business will not have to close in the near future.
The 41-year-old said: "We hope that we do not have to close at any point.
"We have a successful online presence and our click and collect service is now up and running.
"We are keeping everything crossed."
Kala Reeve, left, and Keeley Chaplin, who have opened KK's Sweet Treats in Lowestoft. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021
