About US
Hi, we're so glad you found us, and we appreciate you stopping by to learn a little more about Trolley Car!
We're a locally-owned premium pick-and-mix candy store in Richmond, Va. We leave the candy making to the professionals. Our goal is to source high-quality hard and soft candies, gummies, and chocolates that you can mix, match, and enjoy however you like. We want the flavors and textures here to feel new and authentic while keeping the experience familiar, and maybe even a little nostalgic.
First, why a candy store? We've always loved candy. To this day, neither one of us can pass up a pick-and-mix candy station whenever we see one. The simple act of shaking open that empty bag — knowing you're about to fill it with a few favorites while leaving a little room to try something new — is an experience we remember from a young age, and it has stuck with us ever since. It’s always been a dream of ours to build something of our own, and this is exactly the kind of experience we knew we wanted to capture when starting up Trolley Car.
What types of candy will you offer? We're a pick-and-mix store, and gummies and soft candies are the best fit for that format. Most of our products come directly from Sweden, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe, where pick-and-mix traditions, textures and natural flavors have been perfected over generations. We do plan to expand into familiar favorites from around the world — including here at home. You'll also find chocolates, licorice, and hard candy alongside the gummies.
If the store looks a little bare in the beginning, that's part of the plan. We're leaving room to grow into the space and to hear what you want. Being intentional about what we carry matters more to us than filling shelves quickly — your taste and enjoyment come first. If we can satisfy your sweet tooth with a higher-quality option, that feels like a win-win.
Why name the store "Trolley Car Sweets & Treats"? We know it's a mouthful, so you'll often see us refer to it simply as "Trolley Car" on our merch and materials. "Sweets & Treats" covers all the bases — the pick-and-mix format, prepackaged favorites for when you're not in the mood to scoop your own bag, and eventually some treats for our four-legged friends too.
Beyond being fun to say, "Trolley Car" has real historical meaning for Richmond. This city was home to the first successful electric streetcar system in the world. The Richmond Union Passenger Railway transformed the city overnight with its debut in 1888 — giving rise to streetcar suburbs like the Fan District and Museum District while connecting Church Hill, Oregon Hill, Carver, and Manchester. The Richmond model was replicated worldwide in the decades that followed.
As Richmonders, we're proud of that legacy. To us, the trolley car captures a sense of nostalgic freedom and curiosity. If you're riding a trolley car today, you're likely out sightseeing somewhere new and wonderful. We hope you'll feel something like that when you walk into our store.
What can you expect from Trolley Car in 2026? More candy — we'll be expanding our selection until we find our sweet spot, then aim to keep a healthy rotation of new flavors and finds. Morning coffee and espresso drinks are in the works too. Private events, public markets, volunteering, and local collaborations are all on our radar — we started this store to be part of the community, and we hope you'll see us well beyond 407 Strawberry Street.
On a personal note, we're a husband-and-wife team living in Church Hill, where we love morning walks with our two pups, riding bikes, reading in the parks, game nights, and a little light gardening.
We can't wait to see you at Trolley Car!
-Nikki and Jake