Our Story
Hi there! I am Melissa DiMinico, hence DiMinico's. A little background: I am a Gemini 100%...I feel I am my best when I am juggling a thousand things at once. A busy mom of 2 teenage boys (Joey 15 and Anthony 13) and wife to my best friend, Chris, for the last 22 years. I love traveling with family and friends, cooking, baking (especially my moms recipes to keep traditions alive) and shopping!
For 2 decades, I worked in finance and spent my life working with spreadsheets. I always knew this wasn't my forever job- I couldn't sit at my desk all day! I wanted to own my own business. When I was 24, Chris and I wanted to open an Italian specialty store, but didn't think we could juggle a mortgage and store rent, so that dream was put on hold. Fast forward, The Candy Dish was established as a side hustle and quickly grew into our first brick and mortar with my partner, Shauna. The last 9 years were amazing and learned how much I LOVE owning a business. 2024 provided me the opportunity to open the store I wanted to 20+ years ago. The main take away, never give up because you never know where your life will take you. I am finally going to bring all of favorite things to one place! I couldn't be happier! My shopping, traveling and eating are all going to benefit you to have the most fabulous shopping experience.
Meet the Team
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Shauna is our co-creator of The Candy Dish and has been loving confectionery for over 16 years since her time studying pastry at The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. With a love for all things chocolate, her top pick from our collection is our irresistible toffee. When she's not whipping up our signature sweets, she enjoys family time with her daughter Stella and husband Dave, paired with a strong cup of coffee and a handful of peanut M&M's.
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Hi I’m Sophia! I started working at the Candy Dish in February of 2021 and have been working as a sales associate ever since. I’m going into my junior year at Stonehill College where I am studying Communications with a Business minor. I’ve been competitively dancing for 10 years and am the captain on the Stonehill College Dance Team.
Favorite Candy Dish chocolate: Caramellows or dark chocolate salted caramels!
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If you live in North Andover, you more than likely know Valerie. Val has been with The Candy Dish from the early days in Lynnfield. If she’s not at the register greeting and chatting up customers, she’s most likely traveling the world with her friends and family: husband for 30 years Joe and twins Bella and Nick. She loves starting her day with yoga, and ending hitting up the hottest new restaurants in Boston.
We are excited that starting this summer Val will be our new Events Manager. Email her with any questions: Valerie@diminicos.com
Her favorite Candy Dish chocolate: Potato Chip Bark
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Hi my name is Kolleen! I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in the summer of 2022 with an associates in baking and pastry arts and my bachelors in food business management. I’ve known that I wanted to work in the food industry since I was old enough to hold a whisk. If I am not in the kitchen I am spending time with my family or outside enjoying nature. Can't wait to share some of my favorite creations with you!
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Emily, one of our chocolatiers, has always had a love of being in the kitchen and entertaining family and friends. A native of the North Shore, Emily has been enchanted by the region’s beaches, invigorating salty air and limitless dining possibilities.
While living in Switzerland she would regularly pass by cafes and bakeries filled with beautiful pastries and candies. This sparked her passion for chocolates and baked goods. She wanted to become that person to bring joy to other people with her creations.
In her free time you can find Emily listening to various genres of music, hiking with her husband Phil, or having dinner and game nights with family and friends. She loves any chance to go and explore a new (or favorite) destination and experience different cultures and foods.
Emily’s fave Candy Dish chocolate: Dark Pecan Turtle
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Ava is a junior at North Andover High school and has worked at The Candy Dish for 2 years. We love watching Ava interact with all of the kids that have birthday parties at the store because she always makes them feel so special! She walks away with a lot of babysitting jobs after these parties!
In her free time, she loves to play soccer, cuddle with her animals and is very active in school activities including DECA.
We are so lucky to have Ava for another year before she's off to college!
Her favorite things in the store are the Farm and Sea candles and the chocolate chip cannolis.
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Steph is our Buying Manager. AKA, the energizer bunny! She has already worked out, grabbed coffee, walked her dog Louis, and got the kids off to school before 7am! Step has been married to her husband, Mike, for 17 years and they have two daughters Sydney and Eden. She loves being with her family and traveling to new places and of course, finding all the best shopping spots!
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Sophia is a Freshman at North Andover High School. As a freshman she made the Varsity Basketball Team. She also started Track and Field for the first time and helped to break the school record in April 2024 for the girl shuttle hurdles. Sophia also plays Soccer for NAHS along with AAU Basketball. In her downtime she likes to go shopping, draw and read. Her favorite Candy Dish treats are the Caramel Apples and the Milk Toffee Bark.
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Nicole has always had a passion for all things culinary, starting in college, while studying hospitality, some of her favorite classes were cooking and wine tasting. Prior to joining the candy dish, Nicole owned a successful custom cake shop. Being creative and working with food has always been something she’s enjoyed. Working with chocolate has been a new and exciting experience.
Nicole lives in North Andover with her husband Tommy and their 2 teenage daughters, Marisa and Melanie. She can often be found at the softball field or a gymnastics meet cheering them on. The family loves traveling together, most recently exploring Italy on a summer vacation and they can’t wait to go back!
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Meet Avery Constable, a freshman at North Andover High School. Avery is a dedicated defender on the varsity lacrosse team. She also loves playing soccer and spending time with her dogs, Zoe and Leo. You can often find her at the beach with family and friends or making her daily Starbucks run. Her top pick from the Candy Dish? Peanut butter cups, the perfect fuel for her active lifestyle!