Wildwood, NJ (June 24, 2019)- When the previous owner of Mallin’s Candy Store told his long-time employee Jackie he wanted to retire, she was devastated- Mallin’s was a huge part of her life. Jackie couldn’t let this monumental part of her life go, so, she became the owner.

Last March, Jackie Bowes Ulun became the owner of Mallin’s Candy Store, but she was just 16 years old when she began working as a cashier there in the summer of 1997. Never did she think a summer job could turn into a lifelong career-- but it did. This past March, after over 20 years of working at the store, Jackie became the owner of Mallin’s.

Raised in Philadelphia, PA, Jackie moved to Kentucky with her family in August of 1995, but would return to Wildwood every summer for vacation; however, once she got the job at Mallin’s, Jackie commuted from Kentucky to Wildwood just for her job. Jackie fell in love with the store. Enamored with talking to customers, meeting new people, the fudge, the candies and her fellow employees, Jackie found a second home with her “fudge family”.

Mallin’s was not the only thing she fell in love with. In 2003, Jackie was working her usual shift when her friend introduced her to Umut. Umut was from Turkey, but in Wildwood just for the summer to work at a boardwalk game called “Fascination.” Jackie and Umut fell in love and by the end of the summer, he moved from Turkey to Kentucky so they could stay together. In 2007 they were married, and obviously Mallin’s was critical to their special day. Not only did everyone from the shop attend the wedding, but Jackie personally packaged Mallin’s Salt Water Taffy as each guest’s take home gift. 

In addition to her life at Mallin’s, Jackie is a second grade catholic school teacher in Philadelphia, PA. With a B.A. in Advertising from Xavier University and a Masters in Elementary Education from Eastern Kentucky University, Jackie teaches Monday through Friday and comes down to Wildwood most weekends to run her shop.

Since the store has been under new management, Jackie has redone both of the Mallin’s stores. New paint, new floors and new designs- Mallin’s has never looked better.

When one door closes, another opens-- something Jackie learned the hard way. Scared that Mallin’s would be gone forever, Jackie was able to take her childhood summer job and make it something incredible.

“What sets Mallin’s fudge apart from other brands is that every batch is made from scratch, as is our salt water taffy- we never use a box mix. It’s the best fudge for the best price,” says Jackie.

Mallin’s is more than just a candy store. It is a home, family and community. From the second you walk in until the time you leave, you are transported into a place full of love. Mallin’s has two locations: the Boardwalk Mall and on 2418 Boardwalk in North Wildwood. By the end of the summer, you’ll be wishing you knew Mallin’s sooner!