By Sarah Hinckley Times Argus Staff

MONTPELIER – Not many teenage boys will surround themselves in pink, but for 16-year-old Hayden Durkee, the color is part of his new sweet deal downtown.

Beginning his junior year at U-32 High School and traveling via school bus, the Middlesex teenager is looking to initiate his first entrepreneurial venture: Delish – Montpelier's Sweet Shop.

Inside the 5 State St. location, pink walls mark the theme of candy and chocolate. Durkee points to a pole that will be made into a lollipop post and explains how bins and jars of sugary and sugar-free goods will line the walls. Pink and brown tiles will mark the floor and lead customers to the chocolates behind a glass case expected to be in the back of the store, facing the street.

The business is a joint venture. Durkee and his mom, Kelly Sullivan, co-owner of Splash Naturals and Athena, are planning to open Delish on Sept. 13.

"I just hope to learn how to run a business well, and have fun with it," said Durkee, who has worked at Sullivan's stores for experience. "It was my idea to have the candy store. I like candy a lot."

There was one part of the business agreement Sullivan insisted on when the product was chosen — that Durkee make regular visits to the dentist.

"I offered to mentor him in this," said Sullivan, who is leasing the space and subletting a portion to Black Sheep Books. "I think it's a great way to connect to your teenager… I'm really proud of him that he wants to pursue this."

Developing Delish together has been a bonding experience for the mom and son. They recently traveled to New York City, stopping at candy shops along the way and doing research. Durkee has been busy scoping the Internet for candy makers. Soon they will be on their way to Philadelphia to look for more products and possibilities.

"We're finding such interesting and cool things," said Sullivan about their exploration. "We want specialty candy for sure."

They have also been asking their future customers what the store should carry. A white, dry-erase board hangs in the store window at 5 State Street, with a marker to list suggestions.

The most interesting one so far? Cockroach clusters, according to Sullivan. Other suggestions have included Wilbur Buds (a chocolate treat created prior to the Hershey kiss), grapefruit gummies, turtles, chocolate babies and real licorice.

"We've got a lot of requests for penny candies," said Durkee. "So, we'll probably have them."

Durkee's friends are full of suggestions, the most popular being chocolate covered gummy bears. Many of them also want to be a part of the action.

"My friends are like, 'Whoa, you're opening a candy store,'" said Durkee, whose cell phone was abuzz throughout a tour of the store space. "They all want to work here."

Juggling school and work may be a challenge for Durkee, who says he's lucky to have an open schedule this year at school. There is also a program through the high school in which Durkee could earn credits for owning and operating a business, he said.

Hours of the store are set at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sullivan will assist by shuffling employees from her other two businesses in the downtown. She also co-owns two shops in Burlington.

"My mom owns four stores. I thought it'd be really nice to open a store together," said Durkee, who thought of what it would carry for a day before coming up with candy. "A candy store would probably do good because there's no candy store downtown."

There will be a number of Vermont delights offered in the shop, like Nutty Steph's chocolates, Morse Farm's kettle corn, maple treats and Tom & Sally's gourmet goods out of Brattleboro.

"We've met with a lot of local candy makers and chocolatiers," said Sullivan. "We feel real strong about the local movement."

An opening day splash is expected on Saturday, Sept. 13, but Durkee is not sure it will include a Willy Wonka get-up. There are no guarantees about what will be on the shelves of the small space.

"We'll see what sells well and we'll stick with that," said Durkee. "Then we'll try something new."

"You'll have to wait and see what's coming," said Sullivan.

Contact Sarah Hinckley at sarah.hinckley@timesargus.com.