Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriene Lynne Leggett Casamayor.
Hi Adriene Lynne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
LOCAL SWEET TREAT REVIVES FORGOTTEN KEY WEST HISTORY AND EMPOWERS YOUTH
KEY WEST, Fla. — What began as a simple Saturday church hangout has blossomed into a thriving community movement, blending entrepreneurship with the preservation of Key West’s cultural heritage.
Candy Girls Key West, an initiative born out of Christian fellowship in the home of its founder, is successfully resurrecting the lost art of traditional island confectionery while funding higher education for local youth.
The organization’s roots trace back to 2019. Serving as the Youth Director at Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church, the founder hosted regular weekend gatherings for local children and teenagers. On one particular Saturday, the group decided to try making Glass Candy—a nostalgic, hard-boiled treat that was once a staple of the historic Bahama Village neighborhood.
The success of that initial batch did more than just satisfy a sweet tooth; it sparked a flood of childhood memories for the founder and church elders alike, signaling a unique opportunity to reclaim a piece of fading local history.
Today, the young women of Candy Girls Key West are mastering two signature products that are deeply intertwined with the city’s past: Old-Fashioned Pulled Peppermint and Old-Fashioned Fudge.
Innovating Tradition
Recreating these historic recipes required both historical detective work and modern ingenuity. Historically, Key West homemakers who specialized in pulled peppermint installed heavy stainless steel hooks into their kitchen walls to stretch the hot candy. Wanting to preserve the culinary tradition without damaging her home—and looking to avoid the blistering heat of pulling the candy entirely by hand—the founder turned to her husband for help.
Utilizing his skills as a handyman, he engineered a custom pulling mechanism affectionately dubbed “The Gadget.” The proprietary device allows the Candy Girls to safely and efficiently produce their popular, time-tested pulled candy line.
The group’s Old-Fashioned Fudge carries an equally remarkable lineage. The recipe is a recreation of the secret formula used by the founder’s great-grandmother, Ma Vera, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 107 without ever recording her instructions.
Determined to unlock the family secret, the team experimented with numerous formulations. They relied on the expert palate of 94-year-old cousin Pat, a master candy maker, to critique each attempt. After several rounds of adjustments, Pat confirmed that the team had successfully replicated the exact flavor profile of Ma Vera’s original confection.
Sweetening the Future
Beyond preserving culinary arts, Candy Girls Key West operates as a mentorship and business incubator. The older program participants have successfully transitioned into higher education, managing their business responsibilities while currently attending college. Their journeys stand as a testament to the program’s core mission of youth empowerment.
The multi-generational initiative is also looking toward the future, recently welcoming its newest and youngest Candy Girl, the founder’s five-year-old granddaughter, Ilana, who represents the next generation keeping these local traditions alive.
The business also serves a vital philanthropic purpose. Candy Girls Key West was established as a primary supporter of the Phyllis M. Allen Scholarship Fund at Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church. Through candy sales and community support, the organization invests directly in the future of Key West’s youth, providing financial awards to help local students bridge the gap between high school and college graduation.
For residents and visitors alike, a taste of Candy Girls confectionery offers more than just a treat—it provides a direct, delicious connection to the enduring heritage and bright future of Key West.
The Candy Girls Key West Team:
Adriene Lynne Leggett Casamayor, Valerie Thene, Emily Tran, Madona Pierre, Dazmine Jenkins, Eliany Leal Espinoza, Youma Midy, and Little Ilana.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been incredibly easy due in part to us being the only old-fashioned homemade candy makers in Key West.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Education-which is how we started. All of these young ladies girls were introduced to me at school. I love working with young people and encouraging them to do their absolute best. Exposing them to new things and helping them to expand beyond the usual.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Buy our candy. We now work mostly with non-profits looking for fundraising ideas. We have partnered with the Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition and several church youth organizations. 100% of funds raised are paid directly to those organizations. We also provide scholarship for deserving young ladies through our local high school.
Pricing:
- $15.00 per bag of candy
Contact Info:
- Website: Candy girls key west.com
- Instagram: Candygirlskeywest
- Facebook: Candygirls_keywest
