Q: We’d love to know what this partnership means for your business, why you’re excited, and what the inspiration was behind it?
Taking over such an iconic lolly shop in the heart of the Adelaide Central Markets, (one that has brought joy to generations), feels like both a privilege and a responsibility.
We are honoured to have our family carry on a 120-year tradition and excited to breathe new life into it. We are all about keeping the magic alive while creating even more sweet memories for the future.
Q: Tell us about the history of the business, your personal connection to it, and how you came to be involved:
While I was at uni, I [Georga] started working at the Old Lolly Shop under Darren and Andrea Lomas when I was 17. From the beginning, I was drawn to the atmosphere – the energy of the market, the incredible variety of sweets and the vibrant community that surrounded it. The shop and markets became a place I genuinely loved being a part of.
Taking over the Old Lolly Shop now for us is now underpinned by a vision to create something lasting and meaningful. The Old Lolly Shop started through passion, hard work and a deep connection to the community. We joined in the journey because we saw not only the potential of the business but also its heart.
Q: Explain how your new branding and approach honour the business’ heritage while bringing a fresh, modern perspective.
There is something truly special about how a simple sweet can transport people – back to a moment in time, a place in their childhood, or a memory shared with loved ones.
Watching our customers pause at the window displays, recalling visits with grandparents or treats they cherished as kids, is a powerful reminder of the deep connection between lollies, family and tradition.
The nostalgia is a part of what inspired us to take the next step and bring the Old Lolly Shop online. We wanted to make it easier for people across the country to enjoy the treats they grew up with, or to discover something new. Whether it’s South Australian-made favourites or imported classics, we’re now able to help people share memories, send gifts, and stay connected—no matter where they are.
Q: How is the new branding / marketing strategy with influencers being received by customers?
The feedback has been really positive to our new branding and online marketing. The influencer/UGC is performing well on Meta ads, driving more gift box sales than we can keep up with, which is great!
We’ve also had fantastic responses to our Instagram and TikTok series where I taste test our products with our daughter Marley, with over 400 varieties to get through. I think that series will be running for a while.
Q: How do you see the business growing in the next few years? What does the future look like?
Our goal is to continue the legacy of The Old Lolly Shop being a “must visit” for market goers, with great service and products on offer.
We have ambitious goals to build the online offering over the next few years, expanding our online product range and also the capacity to pack and ship orders Australia wide. Our focus at the moment is premium gift boxes but we want to be the go to place for high quality sweet treats in Australia.
