Running a candy shop usually means greeting kids with bright eyes, parents looking for nostalgic sweets, and tourists in search of a treat. But for one Washington shop owner, the most unforgettable customer wasn’t any of those — it was a four-legged visitor who decided to do a little shopping of his own.
An Unusual Guest on Main Street
Jennifer Strobel and her husband run Buddy & Howie’s Candy Store in the quiet coastal town of Ocean Shores, Washington. One ordinary afternoon, while Jennifer was arranging sweets behind the counter, she spotted movement outside the glass door.
At first, she expected to see a curious passerby or maybe a child tugging on a parent’s arm. Instead, a deer wandered up the sidewalk and stopped directly in front of her shop.
“My first reaction was just pure surprise,” Strobel recalled. “He poked his head inside, and I thought, ‘Wow — this can’t be real!’”
From Window Shopping to Aisle Browsing
Most wild animals would have stopped at the doorway, but this curious deer wasn’t content with just peeking inside. After a moment of hesitation, he stepped right into the candy store as if he belonged there.
“I told him, ‘No, no,’ because I love deer, but I didn’t want him to panic once inside,” Jennifer explained. “But he didn’t listen. He just walked right in anyway.”
With careful steps, the deer began browsing the shelves. The colorful rows of candy seemed to fascinate him, especially the saltwater taffy, a local favorite.
Sweet Temptations
Jennifer tried to remain calm while capturing the surreal moment on video. At one point, she swears the deer even helped himself to a piece of buttered popcorn–flavored taffy.
“He was definitely interested in the saltwater taffy,” Jennifer said with a laugh. “In the video, it looks like he actually snatched a piece. It was surreal to watch him acting like a regular shopper.”
For a brief time, the candy shop turned into a stage for one of the most unusual encounters Ocean Shores has ever seen.
A Gentle Exit and a Lasting Memory
Just as quickly as he had entered, the deer made his way back outside. He didn’t knock over any displays, and he left without causing a mess — a very polite customer, all things considered.
“He didn’t leave any damage!” Jennifer said with relief. “That’s the best part. But I am a little worried he might tell his friends where the best taffy in town is. Hopefully, they’ll just window shop!”
For Jennifer and her husband, the unexpected visit was more than just a funny story — it became a memory they’ll never forget. “It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.
While the candy-sniffing deer didn’t get to fill a shopping bag, his brief appearance brought joy to everyone who heard the story. It reminded locals and tourists alike that even in the middle of town, nature has a way of surprising us.
And for Buddy & Howie’s Candy Store, the tale of the deer who went looking for sweets will live on as one of the shop’s sweetest stories — no sugar required.
