Among the many quaint businesses lining the streets of the picturesque Victorian town, Ferndale’s Sweetness and Light (554 Main St.) has earned its place as a fixture. In operation for more than 50 years, the candy shop has continuously churned out fine chocolates and sweets for generations of Humboldtians and visitors to enjoy. While ownership has changed hands a few times in those five decades, the recipes and the mission have remained much the same. Making quality hand-dipped truffles, chocolate bars, bonbons and more is no easy feat, but owners Tami and Matthew Toste, who have sat at the helm of the business now for 20 years, have not shied away from the challenge. Their investment in their business and in their community is deeply rooted. Both Tami and Matthew are Ferndale natives, and high school sweethearts. At 15, Matthew started working at Sweetness and Light, where he had the opportunity to learn the ropes of the business under previous owner Barry Blake, and train under a skilled chocolatier, a friend of the owner, who visited regularly. Tami also joined the crew at a young age. In a sign from the universe, Tami discovered her grandfather was the caretaker of a box of recipes that originated from the founding of Sweetness and Light. With a few minor tweaks, many of those recipes are still in use today. After years of dedication to the business as employees, the Tostes purchased the business in 2005.
Over the years, Tami and Matthew have spent countless hours making chocolate and running a small business, while raising a family, mind you. Aside from the occasional sister or teenage daughter happily finagled into help behind the counter or processing orders, Sweetness and Light is a two-person show. From making the chocolates, distribution and logistics, to marketing and more, the Tostes are doing it all six days a week. The division of labor has shaken out such that Matthew does most of the chocolate making, while Tami handles the order processing and is responsible for the many other creative aspects of business ownership, including designing packaging and displays. The couple truly embraces doing things “the old-fashioned way,” which, we know, is not the easy way. All chocolates are hand-dipped, and all the many combinations of fillings and flavors are handmade, too. Here fudge is still made using a copper kettle and marble slabs. Marshmallows, caramels and nougats are made in house.
Around the major candy-driven holidays, like Easter and Valentine’s Day, the Tostes work up to 11-hour days hand-dipping chocolates to fill special orders. On a cool day in November, the Tostes are already gearing up for Christmas, which is perhaps the busiest season of all for Sweetness and Light. Boxed chocolates are a favorite gift and the signature candy bars are favorite stocking stuffers, especially so for those who miss the taste of home. Folks who grew up delighting in these sweets still look forward to them around the holidays and the Tostes fill dozens of orders to satisfy the sweet cravings of Humboldians near and far. Still, no less care goes into the production, even as it ramps up — every piece looks and tastes perfect.
As time has passed, and with most of the business kinks smoothed over like a silky ganache, the Tostes have been able to focus on wholesale and experimenting with new flavor combinations. They are proud to offer all the classics, as well as seasonal specialties, and an assortment of vegan and gluten-free treats. Peppermint, eggnog and some variation of a boozy treat appear around the holidays, though their bestsellers remain much the same, season after season. Perennial favorites include peanut butter patties, fudge and the three signature chocolate bars, which you may have seen at other local businesses like the North Coast Co-op and Jersey Scoops. The Moo Bar is perhaps the most recognizable: Inside red and gold foil, caramel, homemade marshmallows and roasted almonds are held together by a layer of chocolate. Delightful. The Humboldt Splitter, a caramel-and-peanut-centric bar, and the Arlynda Corner, a combination of fluffy nougat and caramel dipped in chocolate, round out a trio of bars that make you want to toss all the generic leftover Halloween candy in your pantry.
With all the ups and downs of owning a small business, success is a subjective term, though continued demand for their products is a testament to just how beloved Sweetness and Light is in the community and beyond. While the world around us changes, the shop and its wares withstand the test of time, and for a good reason: It’s managed to box up truly top-tier chocolate, and capture the nostalgia and delight of the candy shops from bygone eras. How sweet.
Sweetness and Light is open Monday-Saturday. Orders can be placed in person, over the phone or by email.
Sweetness & Light
554 Main St., Ferndale
(707) 786-4403
Sweetness.and.Light.Chocolates
sweetnessandlightferndale
This article appears in My Humboldt Life November 2026.