Member Spotlight: Lolli Llama Candy Company, Building a Legacy of Joy in Downtown Olympia

Visit Lolli Llama Candy Company in downtown Olympia and it’s hard to know where to look first. Maybe it’s the oversized jawbreakers, or the chocolate roses catching your eye from across the room. Maybe it’s the hand-made paper flowers and balloons overhead, hinting that this downtown Olympia candy store is about more than just what’s on the shelves.

“We want it to be more than just candy,” co-owner Ryan DiCrescenzo says. “We’re trying to create a tangible experience that turns into a memory.”

And that intention shows up in every colorful, carefully crafted detail.

Built by Hand, Powered by Passion

At its core, Lolli Llama Candy Company in downtown Olympia is a hands-on, family-run business built with imagination and determination. Owners Ryan DiCrescenzo, Jane Locke, and Pete Jonas, who first met working together at Le Voyeur, have poured their skills into every inch of the shop. From hand-built displays to thoughtfully sourced inventory, it’s a true collaboration rooted in creativity and teamwork.

“There’s a lot of sweat equity in this place,” Locke shares. “Everything from the displays to the design was done by hand.”

It’s that behind-the-scenes effort that makes the store bright and inviting, reflecting the people who brought it to life.

Nostalgia, Newness, and Something for Everyone

What makes this downtown Olympia candy store stand out is its ability to meet people exactly where they are. With more than 800 types of candy and counting, Lolli Llama Candy Company blends nostalgic favorites with trending treats and hard-to-find novelties. The team listens closely to customer requests and goes out of their way to track them down. “Candy either brings people back to their childhood or helps create those memories for the first time,” Dicrescenzo recognizes.  

That kind of magic plays out daily—kids discovering something new, adults reconnecting with youth, and everyone in between finding a reason to smile.

“The biggest surprise has been how much joy it brings the older generation,” Locke notes. “You expect kids to love it, but the grandma in a candy shop? That’s even better. What makes me really happy is seeing an 80-year-old come in and suddenly they’re six years old again.”

A Sweet Future for Lolli Llama

Looking ahead, Lolli Llama Candy Company is thinking long-term. The goal isn’t just to be a great shop, it’s to become part of the city’s story.

“I want this place to be here when kids today are bringing their grandkids in,” DiCrescenzo says.

With plans for upcoming community events, collaborations, and promoting their mobile cotton candy cart for parties and local festivals, the future is as playful as the shop itself. In a growing downtown, Lolli Llama adds something essential: a sense of wonder, a spark of nostalgia, and a place where joy feels accessible to everyone.

Stroll through the store on your next outing downtown!

Lolli Llama Candy Company
500 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501
360-628-8315
lollillamacandy@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Olympia Downtown Alliance. All images are our own; please contact us (mwillie@downtownolympia.org) for explicit permission before use.