Sian’s Sugar Shack was born from a simple idea: a little market stall, a lot of colour, and a mission to put a smile on every face that walks past.

Owner Sian Swales bought the small stall just a few months ago (early 2026), wanting something fun to do in her spare time. What started as a weekend project has grown into a travelling treat shop, popping up at shows, events and markets across the Whitsunday region ever since.

The stall’s specialty is exotic filled candy and licorice — the kind of sweets you don’t find on every corner. And there’s a good reason they taste so good: they’re imported all the way from Spain, sourced for their bold flavours and quality.

Sian is the first to admit the candy isn’t handmade by her, but the joy she brings to selling it certainly is. She’s hoping to add some of her own quilled creations to the mix once she finds the time, giving the stall an even more personal touch.

Colour is at the heart of everything Sian does. Whether she’s dressed head-to-toe in bright outfits or making an appearance in a full Grinch costume, she loves turning heads and giving people a giggle. For Sian, a good day is one where she’s brightened someone else’s.

The markets have already opened doors. Since buying the stall, Sian has doubled its size, and with a bigger car or trailer on the horizon, she’s planning to expand into even more varieties of candy. Along the way, she’s met people from all over the world and discovered just how much a little sweetness can lift someone’s day.

The candy has long been a favourite at local shows each year, and Sian’s dream is to share it more widely across Mackay and the Whitsundays so locals can enjoy it all year round — not just once a season. Wherever the Sugar Shack sets up, the goal is the same: bring a fun vibe, a friendly face, and a treat worth smiling about.