🍬 ABOUT US — THE STORY OF CANDY CASTLE & BEACHOLOGY

Sweet Treats, Maryland Pride, and a Whole Lot of Hard Work

Our story doesn’t begin with a candy shop — it begins with a dream, a tiny storefront, and a whole lot of hustle.

Back in 2012, we signed the lease on our very first shop in the Inlet Village:
Dester Designs & Novelties.

It wasn’t glamorous. We sold whatever we could — chips, drinks, candy, small signs, candles, souvenirs — anything to keep the lights on and meet the visitors who would one day become lifelong customers. We put in long hours, learned the rhythms of the Ocean City boardwalk, and slowly built something we were proud of.

As our little shop grew, so did our vision. We expanded our footprint and renamed the store Dester Designs & Souvenirs, shifting from snacks to the custom Maryland-themed signs, decals, stickers, candles, and souvenirs people came back for year after year. It was during these years that we truly found our identity — and our community.

Then came 2020.
Like so many small businesses, we were hit hard. To keep serving the people who supported us, we pivoted, selling essentials and creating a safe environment during a challenging season. We didn’t escape unscathed, but we did what we’ve always done — kept our nose to the grindstone and pushed forward.

That determination led us to our next chapter.

In 2021, we introduced a new brand: Beachology — a name that reflected who we were becoming. Still rooted in the signs, stickers, and candles that started it all, but growing into apparel, gifts, souvenirs, and specialty items that celebrate Ocean City culture.
And with that change came our biggest leap yet:
Moving from the Inlet Village to a boardwalk location.

The boardwalk brought new energy, new customers, and a new opportunity we could have never predicted.

In 2023, the space next door became available — and we jumped.
That’s when Candy Castle was born.

What started as a small add-on candy section has grown into a full, year-round candy store featuring gummies, fudge, taffy, freeze-dried candy, dipped fruit, nostalgic treats, and sweets for every family walking the boards. Candy Castle quickly became a destination of its own, and we’ve worked tirelessly to make it a place where everyone feels like a kid again.

And now — we’re taking the next big step:

🎉 Candy Castle & Beachology are officially online!

From a tiny shop in 2012 to two thriving boardwalk storefronts and a full e-commerce store…
we’re still the same hardworking, customer-focused family business we were on day one.

Ocean City helped build us — and now we get to share Ocean City with the rest of the country.

Thank you for being part of our story.
Here’s to many more years of signs, souvenirs, sweets… and smiles.

– Candy Castle & Beachology, Ocean City, Maryland

Beachology.shop

Candycastleoc.com