Uploaded July 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Sugar and #candy was in Hugh Darling’s blood. His grandmother, Emma Jean, owned and operated the first candy store in #seward in 1908. Hugh believed that one day he would go on to run the family business.
In 1997, Hugh and his wife Iris, opened #sweetdarlings and quickly became one of Seward's most popular tourist spots, providing visitors and residents freshly made candy and #gelato using recipes from all over the world.
As Hugh and Iris reached their senior years, they hoped to sell Sweet Darlings to someone who loves sweets as much as they do. Eight months after first talking to INDIE ALASKA, Iris discovered AJ Seese, a former Sweet Darlings employee, now a young professional residing in Michigan with his wife Pam, who was looking to make a change in their lives.
Video and story by Daniel Hernandez
INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The videos capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these stories present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska.
Click on the Subscribe button above to get notified when new episodes are available.
Consider supporting Alaska Public Media and ensure storytelling like INDIE ALASKA continues into the future. Make a donation today at: alaskapublic.org/support/donate-splash-page
All INDIE ALASKA episodes can be found at: alaskapublic.org/category/programs/indie-alaska
Sugar and #candy was in Hugh Darling’s blood. His grandmother, Emma Jean, owned and operated the first candy store in #seward in 1908. Hugh believed that one day he would go on to run the family business.
In 1997, Hugh and his wife Iris, opened #sweetdarlings and quickly became one of Seward's most popular tourist spots, providing visitors and residents freshly made candy and #gelato using recipes from all over the world.
As Hugh and Iris reached their senior years, they hoped to sell Sweet Darlings to someone who loves sweets as much as they do. Eight months after first talking to INDIE ALASKA, Iris discovered AJ Seese, a former Sweet Darlings employee, now a young professional residing in Michigan with his wife Pam, who was looking to make a change in their lives.
Video and story by Daniel Hernandez
INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The videos capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these stories present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska.
Click on the Subscribe button above to get notified when new episodes are available.
Consider supporting Alaska Public Media and ensure storytelling like INDIE ALASKA continues into the future. Make a donation today at: alaskapublic.org/support/donate-splash-page
All INDIE ALASKA episodes can be found at: alaskapublic.org/category/programs/indie-alaska
