Kimberly Blackwell // Provided
Kimberly Blackwell (left) and her daughter Claire (right) pictured at The Pendleton Candy Company's original location.
The Pendleton Candy Store is set to open its second location this September in Liberty, South Carolina, following the success of the shop’s first location.
The original location’s success in the heart of downtown Pendleton prompted the new candy shop’s opening. The new location, The Pendleton Candy Company on Commerce Street, will open at 18 S. Commerce Street in Liberty and promises to deliver the same “nostalgic sweetness and friendly service” as its original location.
“We couldn’t think of a better place to grow our candy family,” Kimberly Blackwell, owner of The Pendleton Candy Company, told The Tiger in an interview.
The new shop’s Liberty location will include a larger storefront featuring an expanded candy section with a larger selection of M&Ms and Jelly Belly jellybeans. The location will also host a “candy suite,” an Airbnb location available for nightly rentals located in the back of the shop.
“So many of our customers tell us they wish they could live in the candy store — now they can actually spend the night surrounded by sweets,” Blackwell told The Tiger.
Blackwell noted that when opening her new storefront, location was the biggest factor in expanding her business. She settled on Liberty with the intention of being close to Clemson and Greenville, while retaining small-town charm with similar demographics to Pendleton.
The location in downtown Pendleton has not only become a community favorite since its opening, but has also gained state-wide recognition.
Within the first year of business, the candy store was named SC Travel and Tourism Guide’s #1 Candy Store in South Carolina. In 2024, the store won Southern Living Magazine’s award for Best of the Southern Living States candy store.
Additionally, Blackwell is not only an entrepreneur, but also a Clemson professor teaching multiple courses in the University’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism department.
In her Special Event Management course this fall, Blackwell invited collaboration with the Mayor of Liberty by asking her class to plan an event for the town as their final project. This project will include looking at demographics and how Liberty is looking to grow the town, then creating an event fit for the community. One chosen event will then follow through with coordination and be hosted in Liberty.
Before opening The Pendleton Candy Company, Blackwell graduated from Clemson University with a degree in travel and tourism. Despite working in mortgage broking and event planning in the early years of her career, Blackwell knew she had a passion for entrepreneurship and even ran a few storefronts in the past. After a career halt, Blackwell had the idea to open up a location where realtors could receive gift baskets, an idea that turned into the candy shop locals know today.
The original store location is known for its vintage appeal, customer service and recognizable location in downtown Pendleton.
The store retains many aspects of Blackwell’s own personality reflected in the shop. Between monthly decor changes and customer service provided by Blackwell’s daughter, Claire ‘24, and her best friend, Camille ‘24, the store maintains a personal touch of community and family, something they are looking to continue in their new location.
“If you haven’t tried us yet, come see why people say we’re the sweetest spot in South Carolina. You’ll find nostalgic charm and customer service that’s hard to find these days,” Blackwell said.