HALLOWELL — Magic was in the air on Saturday as candy-loving customers, many dressed as Harry Potter characters, got their fill of treats at Scrummy Afters Candy Shoppe for the business’s final day of the season.

The event has been wildly popular, and in 2019 it drew over 400 guests donning the attire of the book and movie franchise’s beloved characters.

This year, instead of asking for tickets, the business instead opted to request a cash or food donation for the Hallowell Food Pantry.

Taylor Chamberland, 8, tries on The Sorting Hat during Scrummy Afters Candy Shoppe’s Harry Potter event Saturday in downtown Hallowell. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

The business has been serving up sweets in Hallowell for nearly a decade, and in 2018 added a mobile candy shop that made appearances at local events across the state. The mobile shop and online sales became their main source of business after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the permanent closure of its Water Street location.

The store gets its name from British slang, with “scrummy” meaning scrumptious and “afters” being another word for dessert, as it’s a snack traditionally left for after supper.

The candy shop offered a plethora of treats and held a costume and pumpkin contest. Proceeds from the event benefited the Hallowell Food Pantry. A game of Quidditch, a fictional sport from the Harry Potter universe, was planned but subsequently canceled due to the effect of Friday’s rain on the field.

Kim Davis, who co-owns the business with her daughter, Hillary Vellani, said on Saturday morning that there was a good response from local businesses, but it was too early to say exactly how much they would collect throughout the day.

Other businesses throughout town also participated in Harry Potter-themed events. Juiced offered Harry Potter smoothies (a “Healing Potion” and “the Draught of Peace”) the Rusticators Emporium had a “Diagon Alley sidewalk sale,” Burano’s Wood Fired Pizzeria offered butterbeer for kids and adults, the Hallowell Antique Mall held a rat hunt, and Dom’s Barbershop had a Harry Potter window display.

Davis said this is not the first time they’ve worked together with local businesses.

“We’ve done Easter, we did Dr. Seuss Day,” she said. “The community loves us, businesses love us, and we love them.”

Rosanne Carey sat in full costume at a table in front of the mobile store where guests could sign up for events and make donations.

“I’ve gone from a muggle to Madam Hooch,” she said. “I knew nothing about Harry Potter before this.”

Madam Hooch teaches students how to fly at Hogwarts, a school for witchcraft and wizardry in the Harry Potter books written by J.K. Rowling.

Harry Potter fans this week mourned the loss of actor Robbie Coltrane, who portrayed Hagrid in the Harry Potter films and died Friday at age 72.

“Hagrid is the embodiment of kindness,” the candy shop posted via social media. “We should all be so lucky to have a Hagrid in our lives.”

Earlier this year, the business announced that it was for sale. And while they’ve received multiple inquiries since making that announcement, Davis said they have not finalized any sale as of Saturday. Davis and Vellani plan to continue into the next season in May of 2023 if a new owner has not yet been found.

“We had a few people that are quite interested,” said Davis, “but when you get down to the crux of it you have to make it work. A lot of people think ‘Oh it’s lovely to have a candy store,’ but it’s a lot of work.”

As it stands, they’re happy that the mobile shop gives them the opportunity to participate in community events.

“It’s a beautiful day,” said Vellani, “after yesterday, and regardless of how many people show up, we’ll have fun.”

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