The New Ipswich Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a special exception to allow the operation of a candy shop on Porter Hill Road last week.
“It’s kind of an exciting time, because now we have the opportunity to help the community by providing some small retail that’s so intrinsic to the New England landscape,” said William Poole, the owner of the property and future proprietor of the shop.
Poole, a chocolatier who lives at 11 Porter Hill Road and makes candy out of his kitchen to sell online and at local markets, submitted an application to the zoning board to convert the carriage house on his property to a retail shop.
He plans to be open three days a week – noon to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays – to sell his chocolates and caramels.
The New Ipswich zoning ordinance allows small retail, banks, medical facilities and office buildings by special exception in the Village District II, where the shop will be located, as long as they are smaller that 1,500 square feet. Poole’s shop will be 440 square feet.
The space was used as a gift shop a by previous owner. Poole said he intends to overhaul the interior space, taking it down to studs and putting in new insulation and drywall.
“It will still have that rustic farmhouse vibe, but a little more dressed up,” said Poole.
Poole intends to renovate the interior of the carriage house, leaving the historic exterior intact. He hopes t@o have the shop up and running in time for Halloween.
“I’m cautiously optomistic; that’s our target date,” said Poole.