It may look like a new face in town to some, situated along Route 26 in Millville, beside Al Casapulla’s, but family-owned Seyfert’s has been bringing original snacks and sweets to the lower Delaware region for nearly a decade.
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT
Seyfert’s new location is turning out to be a big hit. Local customers and summer tourists come in to enjoy the Pennsylvania treats offered by the store.
Now with a spot closer to the shore, husband-and-wife team Jeff and Diane Seyfert hope that their Pennsylvania taste will draw in even more of a crowd, from locals and visitors alike.
Originally from Lebanon, Pa., Jeff and Diane Seyfert relocated nine years ago to lower Delaware, where their family had vacationed for years. The Seyferts were in no way going to leave behind their Pennsylvania pride, though. A life-size cutout of Pittsburgh Steelers’ Superbowl XL champ Ben Roethlisberger greets customers when they enter, and many feel as though they’re still in Pennsylvania, as candies, chips and other snacks not commonly found in Delaware are the shop’s specialty.
“We wanted to bring all of our favorite foods here,” said Diane Seyfert. “If we liked them so much, we figured they’d go over pretty well.”
The Seyfert name has been a staple in the Keystone State for more than 30 years. Starting as a “mom-and-pop” grocery store, the couple later specialized in exclusively Pennsylvania snack products, and is known prevalently for their ice cream.
Since March of this year, Seyfert’s has been in Millville, a jump from their original highway stop along Route 113. Now sitting along Route 26, passers-by are more inclined to pay the shop a visit, according to the couple.
“When we were on [Route] 113, people were flying past,” said Diane Seyfert. “Here, they’re going a little slower and a lot of them stop in because of that.”
More and more people seem to be stopping in, they said, which is likely attributed to the new brand names carried in the store – all genuine Pennsylvania products, from Kutztown sodas to Charles’ Chips. The Seyferts now display their loyalty to the great tastes they grew up eating in Pennsylvania.
“We knew snacks like this would go down here for a reasonable price,” said Diane, “We wanted to bring Charles Chips to this area. They had been gone for so long, and we knew it’d be a hit. That was probably our main incentive to open this store.”
“A lot of people are happy because they can find Gibbles,” added daughter Mandy, who helps her parents operate the store. Gibbles is a one-of-a-kind chip and snack brand from Chambersburg, Pa.
So far, the shop’s new location is a hit with faithful customers, who frequented store in the past, as well as first-time shoppers, who are often eager to find what new products Seyfert has to offer.
“We get a lot of customers who live in the area and they’re glad we’re here,” she said. “The ones who came to our old store come over, plus the tourists who are here just for part of the summer.”
Customers can beat the summer heat with an assortment of flavors of Hershey’s ice cream, one of the most popular brands to ever come out of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Dutch candies line the racks at Seyfert’s, from gummies to nuts, and everything in between. Among the most popular sellers when it comes to satisfying one’s sweet tooth is the licorice, in 13 different flavors, ranging from traditional to root beer, pina colada and watermelon.
However, one of the most talked-about treats stays cool in the fridge in the back of the store. Van Winkle’s homemade opera fudge showcases a variety of flavors and is unlike the customary fudge found at most candy shops. Soft and sweet, it is sure to please anyone who walks through the door, the Seyferts said.
“This is definitely our hottest item,” said Diane Seyfert, “especially around Christmastime. People come in for the opera fudge alone.”
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT
Below, is the Hershey’s brand ice cream available at the Millville store.
It’s not all snacks and goodies at Seyfert’s, though. Diane Seyfert even sells handmade crafts that she finds from across the country. One-of-a-kind birdhouses, complete with intricate detail, are available at the store, and a handful of other crafts, as well.
Husband Jeff is what Diane Seyfert refers to as the business’ silent partner. “He comes and goes,” she said. “He’s sort of behind-the-scenes. I’m here most of the time.” Jeff Seyfert also occupies his time with a job that began when he was only a child: newspaper delivery.
“Dad liked delivering newspapers ever since he was a little boy,” Mandy Seyfert said. Jeft Seyfert started with a route in Pennsylvania, pulling a wagon behind him before he was even a teen, and now, he distributes papers locally, including Coastal Point.
For more information, stop into Seyfert’s, or call (302) 539-3940.