The Sugar Cube
The Sugar Cube is a Canadian candy store and local Calgary shop.
Scroll down to learn more about The Sugar Cube and what inspired them to start their awesome candy business.
What inspired you to start your business?
The Sugar Cube began with one big candy obsession and an even bigger dream. Our founder, Alyssa, spent her childhood summers at her family’s candy shop on Manitoulin Island, where her love for candy and community first took shape.
After earning her marketing degree from the University of Calgary, Alyssa wanted to build something that combined her passion for sweets with her creative background. As someone with celiac disease, she knew firsthand how hard it was to find candy that was safe, inclusive, and still delicious. So she set out to change that, creating a business that offered high-quality, allergen-friendly treats that everyone could enjoy.
What started in 2013 as a single candy food truck quickly became a Calgary favourite. Today, The Sugar Cube is known for fresh candy, thoughtful gifting, and unforgettable event experiences. From slinging sweets on Calgary streets to shipping custom candy gifts across Canada and expanding our event activations throughout Alberta, we’ve grown a lot since that first truck.
Because around here, it’s never just about candy. It’s about creating moments worth unwrapping.
How would you describe your business?
The Sugar Cube is where nostalgia meets modern candy craftsmanship. Every order we create is made fresh, layered by hand, and designed to look as good as it tastes. From the beginning, we’ve focused on quality over quantity, choosing to work with gourmet, high-end candy and fresh mixes that are never pre-bagged or mass-produced.
Each candy blend is thoughtfully arranged in our signature clear cubes, allowing every colour, texture, and flavour to shine. This presentation-first approach has become part of our identity, making our products a natural fit for both everyday gifting and custom corporate branding. Whether it’s a personalized CandyGram or a large-scale event activation, every detail is carefully considered by our small but passionate team.
Alyssa’s family’s candy store on Manitoulin Island set the foundation. Those early experiences shaped how she saw the world of sweets, focusing less on bulk bins and more on craftsmanship, connection, and creativity. Since 2013, she has carried that vision forward, building a woman-owned business that celebrates quality, inclusivity, and joy in every order.
At The Sugar Cube, we believe candy should feel special. That is why every cube, bag, and platter is crafted to create something memorable, one sweet moment at a time.
What’s your bestselling product?
Why do you think it’s so popular?
Our CandyGrams are, without question, our bestsellers. Each one is made fresh to order and layered by hand with premium candy so every colour and flavour gets its moment to shine. They are designed to be as beautiful as they are delicious, packaged in our signature cube, wrapped and tied off with a ribbon, so that it’s always presentation-ready.
CandyGrams come in a variety of sizes, allowing us to create the perfect fit for any occasion. Over the years, we have used the cube as a canvas, adapting it for new products and gifting needs so our shoppers can find something that feels personal and just the right size for their celebration or client moment.
For everyday gifting, CandyGrams make it easy to celebrate birthdays, milestones, and just-because moments with something a little unexpected. On the corporate side, they transform seamlessly into custom gifts that reflect each brand’s personality. From tailored colour themes to branded labels and inserts, we love helping businesses turn candy into connection.
They are thoughtful, personal, and a little playful, which is exactly what makes our CandyGrams so loved.
What’s your personal favourite product from your shop?
Without a doubt, our Candy Advent Calendar holds the top spot for me. It has become the holiday tradition you didn’t know you needed, and every year we get to watch the excitement build from the moment it launches. There is something so special about seeing families, friends, and even workplaces turn candy into a shared countdown experience.
Each calendar includes twenty-five days of candy-filled surprises, featuring a new wave of sweets every year so there is always something fresh to look forward to. We also offer allergen-friendly options so everyone can take part in the fun. Every calendar is made with care, filled with gourmet candy, and shipped Canada-wide to help sweeten the season wherever you are.
What makes it even more meaningful is our collaboration with a local artist who designs the full sticker collection each year. It allows us to celebrate creativity, community, and small business collaboration while bringing a new visual story to life every season.
I love that it is more than just candy. It is an experience that connects people, sparks joy, and helps everyone slow down and savour the little moments, myself included. Ever since I started receiving these Advent Calendars, both as a consumer and as part of The Sugar Cube team, I have been able to capture memories of my child growing up through videos of him unboxing the calendar each year. Watching his excitement has been such a joy, and having those moments to look back on feels like the sweetest gift of all.
What’s your favourite local Calgary business?
This is a tough one because our team is filled with local love. A few of our favourites right now are Sweet as Candy Bath, Milk Jar Candle Co., Suds and Sodas, and Grow and Co. Each of them creates something beautiful, thoughtful, and rooted in community, which is exactly what we admire most about Calgary’s small business scene. We also have to give a shout-out to our own team. Almost everyone who works at The Sugar Cube runs a side business or creative project outside of Candy HQ, which makes us even more passionate about supporting local makers and entrepreneurs. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we will always encourage people to shop small, shop local, and celebrate the incredible businesses that make our city so special.
