'I'm just in shock': Theresa candy shop works to rebuild after devastating fire

THERESA, Wis. (CBS 58) – Confections For Any Occasion is a special candy shop CBS 58 first introduced you to two years ago. Owner Joel Bernhard achieved his success despite being blind since the age of 4. In 2022, he showed us how he laid out his store in a certain way, to help him remember where everything is. But last week, a fire ripped through his beloved store, leaving him forced to rebuild.

Confections For Any Occasion has long been a destination spot in Theresa. Now all Joel Bernhard wants is to come back stronger.

"I'm just in shock it took several days for it to sink in and realize what happened," said Bernhard.

Around midnight last Tuesday, Bernhard woke up to call he never expected.

"I was notified there was a fire in our store at 12:21, we noticed on our camera there was a red glow coming from the air conditioner and, in a few minutes, the whole place was totally filled up with smoke," Bernhard recalled.

The AC unit by the front of the store was on fire.

"It was plugged in but not turned on, hasn't been turned on for a week. The circuit breaker tripped like it should and there was no sign of the cord burning at all, so it did not start from the electrical box, it started inside somehow," said Bernhard.

After serving candy and ice cream to the community for 22 years ...

"We will be closed for – I don't know how long – it could be several weeks to a couple months hopefully not longer than that," said Bernhard.

It wasn't just candy that was lost, Bernhard had priceless collectables on display -- now covered in soot.

"If anyone has ever gone through a fire, the soot damage is far worse than the physical damage from the fire," Bernhard explained.

Right now, all Bernhard is focused on is reopening his doors to his community.

"We want to reopen as soon as we can hopefully by summertime," said Bernhard.

One effort speeding up his store's recovery is nearby businesses donating some of their proceeds to cover his costs.

If you want to help out too – click HERE to donate.