A kid in a candy store
Nostalgic candy covers almost an entire wall of the store, plus more than 200 types of bulk candy, a massive wall of Jelly Belly and shelves filled with old-fashioned candy sticks.
Have you ever heard the expression, “If these walls could talk, the stories they would tell?”
At Millie Dindot’s they do.
The west wall of Berlin’s newest hot spot is covered with old photographs that reveal the family histories of husband/wife owners Michael and Bridey Mast. Among those immortalized in the large black and white photos are Millie Rainwater and Zulo Vemba Dindot, two family matriarchs after whom the store was named.
While many people think Millie Dindot’s is a franchise, the single-location store is actually named after Bridey’s grandmother and Michael’s great-grandmother. Alongside their photos are numerous other family members, each telling a story.
“We really wanted to do something that celebrated our heritage,” Michael Mast said. “You can’t make up the stories behind names like Millie Rainwater and Zulo Vemba Dindot. We worked hard to create a brand that exhibits our family heritage, and we want the culture in the store to emote the feelings that come along with that.”
If guests are lucky, they might catch Michael there on a visit, and they can hear firsthand some of the amazing family stories that make up the wall.
Among those stories is “The S’noran Sheriff,” Medina County Sheriff Roy Kruggel, who deputized all four of his daughters and was well known for his proclivity for a deep, booming snore. He lived with his family in the jail, where his wife, Faye, made dozens of pies every day for the prisoners.
Then there are the Mast Family Singers, who tap-danced and sang their way to an appearance on the national radio show, Major Bowes’ Variety Show, broadcast before a live audience in New York City.
“The stories behind those people are what make us who we are,” Mast said. “I am amazed at the interest people take in these stories. I’ve spent hours talking with customers and they love it.”
Not only is history represented on the wall, it is all over the menu as well, with 14 gourmet hot dogs named after stories and family members, like the S’noran Sheriff, the Simply Abie Lee, Sister Suzie, Uncle Louie and Yo Adriane.
The idea of serving gourmet hot dogs enticed Kenny Miller to join the Masts as a partner, and together they brought Millie Dindot’s to life.
“I appreciated Kenny’s interest in my vision, but what really sold me was the simple fact that he makes a mean hot dog,” Mast commented about his partner.
“We created this to be a delightful experience,” Mast said. “You can’t go into a candy store and not be happy. That is what makes Millie’s such a blast. It’s all about happiness, nostalgia and family. It’s about people stopping by, experiencing great food and finding that favorite candy or soda they loved as a child. We enjoy keeping the atmosphere happy and lively. We’ve even got music piped out to the patio, and every day is a different genre. One day it might be oldies, the next it might be the 80s or Broadway hits. It’s a new experience every time you visit.”
When the Masts began their quest to create a business that enhanced the tourism experience in Ohio’s Amish Country, they wanted to invent something unique and special, something that brought joy into people’s lives.
In pursuit of the ideal store, the Masts traveled all over the United States to visit other successful tourism areas, and one of the things that continually caught their eye was candy stores.
“Part of our desire to create a candy store grew out of our own love for black licorice,” Mast said. “We carry more than 70 different licorice items.”
Once the candy store idea took root, the couple began to explore other indulgences, adding vintage sodas, gourmet hot dogs and Perry’s Ice Cream to the store’s offerings. With more than a dozen specialty gourmet hot dogs on the menu, tantalizing side dishes, over 30 unique flavors of ice cream, 300 vintage, bottled sodas and enough candy to challenge Willie Wonka, Millie Dindot’s is a colorful, tasty and unique addition to Main Street in Berlin.
“Our store grew out of our own passion for those things,” Mast said. “Perry’s Ice Cream is the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted.It’s slow-cooked and very creamy. Our flavor selection is incredible, including favorites like Butter Pecan, or more exotic flavors like Pumpkin Pie, White Lightning and Red Velvet. I haven’t found a flavor yet that I don’t love.”
Nostalgic candy covers almost an entire wall of the store, plus more than 200 types of bulk candy, a massive wall of Jelly Belly and shelves filled with old-fashioned candy sticks.
“Our walls are lined with nostalgia because almost everyone has positive memories of candy from when they were growing up,” Mast said. “With our candy, ice cream, music and the feel of the store, we want to transport people back to those days.”
While sweet treats and gourmet hot dogs are the calling card, there is more to Millie Dindot’s than meets the eye. Even the building itself has a significant role in the family past. It was there that Michael’s parents—Abe and Fran Mast—started The Bargain Hunter in 1973, a local newspaper that is now ingrained in the area, and it was there Michael spent countless hours as a child. Thus, it was a labor of love for him to set about renovating it into something special.
“I pretty much grew up in that place, but over the years the building began to show its age, so redeeming it was very gratifying,” Mast said.
Mast turned the back of the building into Berlin Main Street Lodging, where two stunning suites provide comfort and easy accessibility to Berlin. They were designed as the Rustic Suite and the Serenity Suite, offering a taste of country and a New York City feel.
In addition, the Raber House beside the store is available as lodging for larger parties, complete with a kitchen, a living room, a game room, two bathrooms, several bedrooms to sleep up to nine guests, a private deck, and a front porch right on Main Street where you can relax and watch the world go by.
Millie Dindot’s modern-retro feel takes you back to a bygone era, and the stories, the food and the atmosphere combine to create a relaxing, joyful place where everyone can feel like a kid in a candy store again.
Millie Dindot’s is located at 4792 E. Main St. in Berlin. There is ample parking in a 50-car lot directly behind the store. Follow Millie Dindot’s on Facebook or visit them at www.milliedindots.com.