Bittersweet goodbye to Sugar Shack

MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's a bittersweet goodbye to a staple in downtown Milford.

The memories are just as sweet as the candy on the shelves of Wanda's Sugar Shack, which is planning to close at the end of the year after 40 years.

"I love it. I love doing what I'm doing," said Wanda Hornack, Wanda's Sugar Shack owner.

News 8 spoke with now 91-year-old Hornack at her daughter's home. She started selling confections as a little girl with her mother.

"If it was plain, it was a penny, if it had nuts or had coconut it was two cents and I used to go around selling it," Hornack said.

In 1972, she opened in downtown Milford. Her granddaughter opened the door Wednesday.

"The candy is what first draws them in, but everybody just falls in love with her," said Allison Beer-Jacheo, granddaughter. "It's so hard not to."

And she's had a hard go of it to keep this place going.

A fire took it down in 1992, then again in 2000. Then a year ago, she fell and never bounced back.

"It's been incredibly difficult...umm it's hard," Jacheo said.

It will be the chocolate rush at Wanda's Sugar Shack as she won't be making her famous homemade chocolates anymore, and the family is still keeping that family recipe a secret.

"I don't know, maybe someday everybody will be able to get them," Jacheo said, "but the family has all the recipes. So don't completely count us out."

I don't think anyone who has tasted her peanut butter cups will count this family out. Especially with Hornack's celebrity status in town.

"She's a pillar in the community," said Jen Lugus. "We know who Wanda is and we know what Wanda does."

And what she does, she does with love.

"Everybody's so nice, love you all," Hornack said.

The Sugar Shack will be open only on Saturdays for the rest of the month, starting at 11 a.m. This Saturday, Dec. 15, a goodbye gathering will be held for Wanda at Wanda's Sugar Shack, located at 8 Harbor Walk in Milford.