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Candy Bouquet offers unique gift ideas photo by Andrew Mariman By Shari Downhill What could top a dozen red roses? How about a dozen chocolate roses? Okay, they may not smell the same, but Samy Tawfik, owner of Candy Bouquet in the Medford Center, said his shop�s custom confectionery creations have been growing in popularity with customers since he opened his shop in July. With calming instrumental music playing low over the stereo system, Tawfik points out bins of imported candy the shop�s designer uses to create colorful, mouth-watering bouquet arrangements. Business Card Name: Candy Bouquet Service: Decorative candy bouquets. Fine, imported candy by the piece, the package or the bouquet. Location: 543 Medford Center, Medford. Phone number: 773-3474. Owner: Samy Tawfik. Hours: 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Internet address: www.candybouquetmedford.com . As a corporate-supported franchise, Tawfik and other Candy Bouquet owners benefit from the expertise of candy buyers who select the best confections the world over. Tantalizingly wrapped goodies from Brazil, Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Italy, Holland, Ireland and France are artistically arranged with a colorful cellophane background. Bouquets can be created in a wide variety of special occasion box bases or ceramic mugs or slipped into a personal container provided by the customer. Pre-made arrangements are priced from $20 to $75, but customers can also design their own and control the price of the end product. "It�s exciting to see people using their imagination to create a bouquet," Tawfik said. "And to see so many people enjoying the idea." Tawfik hands customer Terry Le Pari an Italian Puntini blackberry candy to taste. As a business developer for Umpqua Bank, Le Pari has come to Candy Bouquet often in search of unique gifts for business clients. "I was actually given a candy bouquet as a gift from one of my clients," she said. "I loved it. It�s so pretty it�s hard to take apart to eat." Now, Le Pari gives bouquets as gifts herself. Tawfik opened his Candy Bouquet shop July 12 after a year of business research. Tawfik said he moved to Medford with his wife after she was offered a position as administrator for Rogue Valley Dialysis Services. He found the franchise opportunity on the Internet. "I was interested in bringing something unique to this area," he said. "I didn�t just want to repeat an idea. That�s part of the success." Tawfik previously studied business at Idaho State University and worked for six years as an accountant at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. "Samy is so very helpful," Le Pari said. "If you want a certain look, they�ll design it that way." "All in all, it�s a great product," she said. "The quality of the candy is really good." From Thanksgiving to Ramadan, Easter to Kwanzaa, Tawfik�s Candy Bouquet creations can be tailored to just about any occasion. The shop will also ship creations. "If you feel like chocolate," Le Pari said, "Just come see Samy." Reach reporter Shari Downhill at 776-4463, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.