Stephanie Soliman, owner of The Candie Cart in Yonkers, has been creating events in the tristate area for six years. But she’s been interested in the hospitality industry since she was a teenager. When a friend asked her to plan her baby shower, The Candie Cart was soon rolling. “I unleashed a talent I never knew I had,” Soliman says of the winter wonderland-themed party.
After this success, Soliman expanded her horizons to include bridal showers, christenings, first Holy Communions, Sweet 16s and more. The most popular requests are for baby and bridal showers.
To prepare, Soliman first meets with a client to discuss the location and theme of the event as well as who will be attending. This meeting also establishes what types of candies and sweets the client wishes to have at the function. Then, a creative vision begins to form. “The fine details that make a first impression are key” reveals Soliman.
The Candie Cart encompasses full event planning, including party favors if desired. Decorations are made to fit the needs of each occasion. “I work with graphic designers as well as doing the designs myself,” Soliman says.
An element of this event planning service that sets Soliman apart from competitors is a candy cart as opposed to a candy table. When planning a Cinderella-themed Sweet 16, Soliman came to the realization that she needed to introduce something new and innovative. Inspired by a common trend in Europe, Soliman built a candy cart. A 3½-foot-tall Ferris wheel has also recently been added to The Candie Cart’s inventory.
The goodies include chocolates, Oreos, Rice Krispy treats, strawberries and more. Oreo and pretzel bags are made for clients who do not want the cart. Soliman has even made sugar body scrubs for one of her clients.
One of Soliman’s personal favorites was a baby shower that she planned for parents expecting a little girl. The candy cart was given a vintage look with the incorporation of lace and pearls. A chic color scheme of blush, gold and white and the words “sugar, spice and everything nice” were used to adorn the cart.
Another baby shower that Soliman enjoyed working on was an elephant-themed one in which “everything just came together.” Among the features she added to the cart for this event was a blue cake decorated with an elephant design and cookies that took on the appearance of circus peanuts dipped in blue icing.
Soliman also notably took pleasure in creating a Candie Cart project for a first Holy Communion. The color scheme of mauve, ivory and blush was “a little bit of a challenge at first.” Soliman worked around the lack of mauve-colored candies by incorporating the color into accessories like the ribbons. In the end, she says, “the cart looked nice and elegant.”
The Candie Cart has rolled into The Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle and the Waterside Restaurant & Catering in North Bergen, New Jersey. In March, Soliman was invited to showcase her skills in Lord & Taylor’s “Shop Smart, Do Good” charity event in Eastchester. The store focused on the color rose gold for the occasion, due to the color’s prominence in the fashion world.
“For this particular event, I added rose gold accents to all the jars and table décor while also adding rose gold shimmer to the Oreos and pretzels,” Soliman says.
With bridal and baby shower season in full swing, there’s no telling where The Candie Cart will travel next.
For more, visit thecandiecart.com.
