Family-owned Sweet Ruby Jane’s offers candy, confections

By Dylan Scott

Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 | 12:48 p.m.

With her grandmother’s recipes in hand, Susan Philipp hopes to tempt Las Vegas’ sweet tooth with her new candy boutique.

Sweet Ruby Jane’s Confections is the brainchild of Philipp and her sister, Patty McCormick. The store, named after their grandmother, opened in mid-June and delivers a variety of sweetened treats across the valley – and across the country.

Brittle or bark—anything dipped in chocolate, Philipp said—can be created. Cookies and grahams, chocolate-covered popcorn, marshmallow treats and various toffees fill the rest of the menu. The whole operation is fitted with a retro-flair, she said, drawing on its homemade sensibilities.

“We decided before we got much older we were going to jump in and do this,” said Philipp, 52.

Ruby Jane’s had always been a dream of Philipp and McCormick, 47, who worked in the food industry as a microbiologist, she said. The original Ruby Jane was a lunch lady at schools in the Los Angeles area and passed her secrets onto her granddaughters after she retired.

It’s a family venture. And despite the recent recession, Philipp feels good about their chances.

“Sweets tend to survive the economy,” she said.

Plans are in progress to open a formal shop, but for now, people can call 648-1000 for a delivery. Sweet Ruby Jane’s also mails orders nationwide.