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TV sensation creates sweet treat for Richmond Food Bank

Once Upon a Time fans fill donation jar in Steveston candy store

Meeting Snow White was very sweet and serving her grandson is a treat.

Candy Dish owner Shirley Hartwell has had the pleasure of acquainting most of the cast of hit TV show Once Upon a Time at some point or another during the last two years of it being filmed in Steveston.

If Hartwell isn’t delivering her Snow White fudge to actress Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White) or giving retro UK candies to Scots actor Robert Carlyle (Rumplestiltskin), she’s asking Jared Gilmore (Henry) for his autograph when he drops into her Moncton Street store in between filming.

                                              Candy Dish

                                              (The Candy Dish's Shirley Hartwell, right, handed over home-made Snow White fudge to actress Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Snow White in hit TV show Once Upon A Time.)

The store has become quite a hit with cast members and visiting Once Upon A Time fans.

So much so that, in the last seven months, Hartwell has managed to collect $1,000 for the Richmond Food Bank from donations for a Once Upon a Time themed, self-guided, Steveston tour brochure she published herself.

“The show goes out to about 190 countries and I think I’ve had many of those countries represented in here by its fans,” said Hartwell.

“Many of them drop into the local tourism office and the staff in there know I have the brochure, so they get sent over here.

“Some of the cast come in here as well and it’s delightful to meet them; it’s very exciting as well.”

                                                 Candy Dish

                                                (The Candy Dish's Shirley Hartwell, left, hands over a cheque for $1,000 to the Richmond

                                                 Food Bank's Margaret Hewlett. The money was raised from donations for a self-guided Once

                                                 Upon a Time tour brochure.)

Hartwell said she once delivered a UK retro goodybag to Carlyle — packed full of Flying Saucers and Curly Wurlies.

“Snow White seemed very happy that she had some candy named after her and Robert was very charming.

“All of them seem very happy to be filming here when the show is in town.”