A World of treats

When the Ruiz family purchased the building at 1309 N. Meridian St., Portland, they intended to use it as an office.

But Dilcia Ruiz came up with a sweeter idea.

It took just two weeks for that idea to become a reality as Around the World Candy Store opened its doors Feb. 10.

“I was thinking of putting something nice that we didn’t have here in the community,” she explained. “A lot of people (have to) travel to Fort Wayne (or) Indianapolis to buy a piñata or candy.”

Around The World opened two weeks ago to local residents. With at least 13 countries represented, the shop sells candy and snacks that are popular — that’s right — around the world.

Ruiz moved to Portland about 22 years ago. She met her now-husband, Jorge, in 2004. They started Ruiz Rentals, a rental property business extending to at least 60 properties in Portland. They also own Ruiz Enterprises, a multifaceted business including Sapphires Reception Center (1100 W. Votaw St.) and Taqueria El Agave Azul (605 N. Meridian St.). They also run Ruiz Poultry, a chicken company extending to Indiana, Ohio and Illinois.

Ruiz previously worked at Jay School Corporation as an English as a Second Language teacher and has been an interpreter at Jay County Courthouse for at least 20 years.

“So, I’m pretty busy all the time,” she said.

The Ruiz family is a blend of cultures, Ruiz explained. She’s from Honduras. Jorge is from Mexico. Their children were born and raised in Portland.

“Three cultures in one — it’s not easy,” she said. “We have to satisfy a little bit of all the cultures here.”

That thought process carries through her new business.

“I am trying to bring a little bit of everything from different countries,” she said.

“I’m from Honduras, so I know when you go to a place and you find something from your country, you (get) excited about it.”

She recently had two customers visit the store. They came specifically for Samba, a Venezuelan chocolate wafer treat. Others have come in with similar requests.

Bright colors and painted piñatas decorate the opening vestibule to the shop. There’s also a small air balloon hanging from the ceiling. From there, aisles of candy, snacks and piñatas fill the room.

Ruiz said she wanted to have a place for kids, although she does currently have some piñatas in stock that resemble popular adult beverages (White Claw, Hennessy, Modelo, Buchanan and Don Julio).

She’s also decided to stock some groceries that are essentials in other countries but not easy to find in rural Indiana.

Ruiz’s coworker, Tina Fisher, helped her put up shelving and get the store ready to open, and she has also scouted with her for potential businesses in the past.

“I did not expect to be opening 50 more businesses in a year and everything,” Fisher teased, “But I couldn’t ask for a better boss.”

Ruiz is still working through all the paperwork for importing items.

She and her husband have been to Chicago and back several times to keep Around The World stocked, and any time there is a noticeable space on the shelves, she tries to fill it quickly.

Ruiz said she is thrilled to share her creativity with Jay County.

“I’m excited and glad that I can give the community a little bit of my creations,” she said.