On Jan. 21, 1997, Beverly-Ann Smith first opened the door to her new business, Bev’s Cake & Candy Supplies, bringing with her only a few tables, some supplies, her homemade chocolates and her passion for making them.

Now, celebrating 20 years in business, one that began on what she calls “just a whim,” Bev’s shop has become more than even she ever dreamed it could be. With a lifetime of love and passion for baking goodies and making chocolates, Bev has brought something truly unique to her shop in Fullerton.

During her childhood, Bev gained experience in making chocolate from family members, and as an adult, she did a lot of things on a “trial-and-error” basis while continuing to be motivated to learn new techniques and skills from others. Even to this day, whenever Bev travels, she will seek out local chocolatiers in order to expose herself to new ideas and cultures she can bring home and share with others.

“I try to keep up with the trends, and I’m always looking to add new things in order to meet the current needs of my clientele,” Bev said. “I believe the knowledge I have to share with others, the quality I offer at my shop and the personalized experience, because everyone is special at Bev’s, are all key ingredients to why Bev’s has been around for 20 years.”

The personal aspect of her business is one thing that makes Bev’s shop special. The online reviews and comments from customers at the store, as well as the feedback from those who work with Bev, all seem to agree that Bev’s personality is one of a kind.

“Everyone that walks into my shop gets greeted with a big smile and a ‘hello.’ Did you get a ‘hello’ when you walked in? You should have,” said Bev with a smile. “And a ‘watch your step’ on the way out, because that step is a bit of a doozy!’”

Bev began making chocolates for wholesale accounts, such as A-Plus stores, and was also working full time with a cleaning company on the weekend, trying to make ends meet. Chocolate making was always a passion of hers, so she decided to pursue it further and see where it would take her.

Ultimately, Bev learned of a company that was closing up shop, with shelving and inventory to sell, and so she purchased what that business had to get started, found a place to rent — in the large, white Fullerton building on Third Street in Whitehall — and opened her doors.

Bev’s business took off from the start. Within the first five months, she began offering classes for baking and chocolate making, and still now, 20 years later, she offers weekly classes about seven months of the year.

Bev’s has all sorts of classes that cater to both children and adults interested in learning more about a specific craft or skill in baking. There is a list of the classes she offers on her website, bevscakeandcandyinc.com, and there is a sign in the shop with the list of upcoming classes to attend.

“We always have a great time at our classes — adults and children. And when the kids come in, they really have a blast, and it’s so much fun teaching them,” Bev said. “We tell the parents to be sure to stand back and let the kids get creative because you would not believe how awesome their creations are!”

Bev’s shop offers everything from decorations to design-your-own cakes and cupcakes, all different kinds of chocolates, molds to make your own chocolate candies, fondant, fillings, baking utensils and much more. The store’s website lists a large assortment of things you can find at Bev’s but states that the inventory is too extensive to list everything — so making a trip to Bev’s to browse around is worth your while.

Bev credits her staff, Elaine, JoAnne and Christina, for "making Bev's Cake & Candy Supplies a special and fun shop."

Bev’s shop has also seen its share of famous talent in its 20 years in the business, with visitors such as David MacCarfrae of David’s Cake Craft in Liverpool; Debbie Brown, a famous author and cake decorator in Europe; and Norman Davis, co-owner with Zane Beg of The Sweet Life LLC, a custom cake shop in Annandale, Va.

“I love what I do! I’ve met so many wonderful people here over the years, and I look forward to each day I have here at the shop meeting and interacting with people,” Bev said. “I love the people! They are why I do this. They make this whole dream a reality for me. Twenty years is incredible, and for them, I’m truly grateful.

“If I can put a smile on someone’s face, then I feel I’ve done my job and I’m happy! Seeing people smile makes me smile, and smiles are what I want them to find at Bev’s.”

When she’s not baking, Bev enjoys times surrounded by all the special men in her life — her husband, John; their twin sons, Shane and Shawn; and their teenage grandsons, Brody and Justin. She thoroughly enjoys being a proud grandmother and has many fond memories of baking with both her sons and grandsons over the years.

“To this day, I love when my grandsons come into the shop or over to my house and say, ‘So, what are we gonna make today?’” Bev said.

Bev’s Cake & Candy Supplies, 881 Third St., Fullerton (rear), is open Tuesday through Saturday. You can learn more about her shop by visiting bevscakeandcandyinc.com or by calling 610-266-2123. If she doesn’t answer, you can always leave her a message, when her cheerful voice will wish you “sweet day.”