SARASOTA, Fla. (SNN) — Nearly a year after Hurricane Milton forced it to shut down, Kilwins on St. Armands Circle has reopened its doors.

The popular chocolate and candy shop was left under more than two feet of water during the storm. The flooding destroyed floors, equipment, and inventory, leaving the store shuttered for months while permits and repairs were completed.

“It was complete devastation,” said Erica Escalera, Vice President of Company Stores. “We had over two feet of water in our entire store… the entire store was devastated.”

After months of reconstruction, the shop is back in business, with many of its original employees returning to work. Escalera said Kilwins has been a Sarasota staple for more than 40 years, and reopening was about restoring a place where customers cou

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