Robitaille’s Fine Candies Closes in Carp

Who would have thought that this Linden Street sweet staple would shut its doors after 36 years on December 1? Locals have questions but are stopping in to buy out all the candy left on the shelves. Shop owners Tami and John Robitaille say they made the decision to try to recapture some personal time. The store is open 6 days a week, and John also works in tech sales. The candy store, at that time called Switzers, was originally in the SB Funk Zone. Switzers was purchased in 1989 by Guy Robitaille, John’s father, who moved it to Carpinteria. The Robitailles wrote a letter to Carpinteria, thanking everyone – including their employees – who have made Robitaille’s successful and beloved over its long run in the cozy beachside town.

The question remains; what new business will move into the 900 Linden space and rub shoulders with Gene Montesano’s Tre Lune Restaurantmoving to the corner of Linden and Carpinteria Avenue (in the previous location of Giovanni’s Pizza), the new Linden Street business section a few blocks down with incoming Bettina, and neighboring Mollie’s at 1039 Casitas Pass Road? It’s almost as if early 2000’s-era Coast Village Road has relocated.