Peters grateful for community support throughout Reel Treats chapter

(Submitted Photo).

Emily Stewart

After building a beloved candy and popcorn shop with a variety of movie snack favourites and unique candy, the owner of Reel Treats is looking to find someone new to take over amid an earlier health scare.

A Nov. 9 post from the Reel Treats Facebook page announced that owner Angila Peters would be selling the movie snack shop and event space. Peters had a brain injury in the summer that left her in a coma for a week and in hospital for a month. After still feeling unwell in October, her doctor advised her to live a stress-free life.

Reel Treats will be all stocked up for the holidays. Unless there is new ownership, the business will close its doors on Dec. 31 for Peters and staff to take a break before deciding on the next steps.

Peters told the Echo that since posting the announcement, there are many people interested in being part of the business.

“We are meeting with everyone who is serious about carrying on our business and it makes me feel like there is hope for the brand and its legacy.”

She added if someone were to take over Reel Treats, she wants to see the new owner ensure the different aspects of the business flourish, especially the fundraising. Reel Treats collaborates closely with several schools.

“My heart is especially with the kids who walk in every day,” Peters said. “We have high school students in every lunch and little kids just make me smile when they see all the candy. Even the grown-ups feel like kids again so I hope the new owner will keep the magic of childhood memories going.”

Reel Treats began during the height of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Peters, who owned the Oxford Drive-In at the time, started a popcorn and movie snack delivery service during the off-season. The popularity, especially for the renowned homemade popcorn, led Reel Treats to its own brick-and-mortar space.

“Reel Treats grew from my garage to a 1,500-square-foot store to a 4,000-square-foot kitchen and retail space,” Peters said. “That would not have been possible without Oxford County.”

She added that there’s been overwhelming support from thecommunity since her injury occurred. She still has videos from well-wishing customers to watch while loyal customers and strangers will stop Peters as she’s running errands to check in with her. During her coma, her staff and family felt the support as well.

“Power of good thoughts, prayers and just genuine concern made a life-changing difference for me and my family,” she said. “I will never forget that.”

Peters also said that her staff is like family to her and they held ‘Sweet Support - A Community Gathering for Angila’ on Aug. 31 to show support for Peters as she was in the hospital.

“They were the last people I texted that I was not coming into the store that day because I was not feeling good,” she said. “Our manager had to cut her vacation short, and my staff rallied. They are the best team anyone could ask for.”

Reel Treats is known as a stocking stuffer store and it's well-stocked for the gift-giving season.

“I tried extremely hard this year to get as many different items as I could, and our handmade treats are already flying out of the kitchen,” Peters said. “Plus, we have a gigantic Christmas tree, so if nothing else please come get your pictures done.”

After Peters steps down from Reel Treats, she will continue to advocate for shopping locally and hopes the rest of Oxford County will continue to support local businesses.

“I am one of many small business owners in the downtown. I hope everyone who knows about us will encourage other friends and family to visit on the last Thursday nights of each month for the downtown Woodstock shopping nights, Check us out before Amazon and just really appreciate the hidden gems that we have.”