By Elle Wood

HARRINGTON — When it comes to sweet treats, Harrington is being “desserted.”

The city’s newest option for satisfying goodies, Succulent Sweet Treats opened its doors Friday. It celebrated with an open house that included free samples of its homemade desserts and an opportunity to meet the family behind the 97 Clark St. storefront.

Nikki Turner began baking about seven years ago and has been selling products from her home since 2020. The hobby led her to pursue a business in an industry she has passion for.

“I decided to let the job that I had go, (after it was) off and on for about 15 years. And (I) was like, ‘Baking makes me happy,’” Ms. Turner said.

Succulent Sweet Treats was influenced by some late relatives who molded her penchant for baking, including her stepmother, who died after a bout with COVID-19 in 2020.

Ms. Turner runs the company with her two children and said she wants them to cherish it.

“This is what we do as a family,” she added. “This is a family-owned business, so I am trying to create something for my kids to be happy (with) and (to be) proud of their heritage.”

Residing in Harrington, the family noticed the absence of a bakery.

“There is none around except for Milford. There are so many there, but Harrington has nothing. I think this (is) the perfect location, when people find us and come see what we have,” Ms. Turner said, adding that the store came to her almost unexpectedly.

“I (had) been looking for a storefront. I got a call out of nowhere, and I said that is God’s will, so we took it, and it was awesome.”

She enjoys the unexpected, even in her baking, so she uses the space to spark her imagination and create unlikely combinations.

“My favorite part about baking is all the different flavors,” Ms. Turner said. “I can make anything and introduced different flavors together you would think ... would be weird but also taste really good.”

Regardless, she is determined to have sufficient results for her customers, even if they offer a baking challenge.

“Usually, I tell my customers, if they call me, then I can do it,” she said. “When you say that other people can’t do it, I try my hardest to do it.”

Succulent Sweet Treats is next to Main Street Café & Restaurant, off U.S. 13. It is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, visit its Facebook page.