John Canelake, 1920-2012: Famed Virginia candy shop owner dies after short illness
December 26, 2012 at 6:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
Twin sisters and shop owners Pamela Matson and Patricia Canelake mused Wednesday that their father died that day for a reason. He wouldn’t have wanted to interrupt their candy making.
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A trip to Virginia always meant a trip to Canelakes. A green river at the fountain, a look in the hobby section for model planes and cars or glue and paints to finish them, and a pair of Minnetonka mocassins. Of course the folks bought some homemade chocolates to bring home. The Canelake brothers were always kind, always wearing all white clothing and aprons.
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Oops, hit “dislike” on the previous post by mistake…should have been a hearty LIKE. Never been to the Virginia store, but always look forward to May when the Knife River store opens after a long off-season. The smells..the hospitality…the candy! We don’t even have much of a sweet tooth, but we love our frequent visits for a truffle, haystack or piece of fudge. We’ve also turned our relatives from the cities on to the store, and find ourselves going in with a shopping list from them for a holiday delivery. Very sorry for your loss…your father left a great legacy that, through your hard work and dedication, will continue to touch people for a long time.
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No problem Tom. You should have been around in the 50′s when Canelake’s Soda Fountain and booths were filled with kids, some on their first dates. It was a great time and a good wholesome place to go…a destination type of place. Try their peanut brittle some time. Best you ever will have. I still stop in to buy boxes of chocolates for special friends, thank yous, and birthdays.
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