Sweet Ethan's — Local services in Monrovia

Let me start by saying that my family and I have been proud Monrovia locals for nearly 12 years. We’ve loved watching Old Town evolve, welcoming new businesses and supporting them however we can. We celebrate the ones that thrive and feel genuine sadness when others close their doors. The last thing we’d ever want is to see a business fail because of us. We truly want our community to succeed.

That said, this past Saturday night I had a craving for something chocolate-dipped (I’m currently pregnant), so my husband rushed over to Sweet Ethan’s just before closing. He brought home a caramel-dipped apple, sliced it up, and I took a few bites, sharing some with our almost two-year-old. Almost immediately, I noticed a strange taste, like grass or soil. On closer inspection, I realized the apple had mold. Naturally, I was alarmed and quickly rinsed my mouth and my daughter’s. My husband hurried back to the shop with only minutes to spare and made it at 9:58, but unfortunately the lights were turned off and doors were closed despite the posted close time being 11 pm.

The next morning, we returned and spoke with the young woman at the register. She was apologetic, kind, and immediately offered us a $10 refund. We appreciated her sincerity and professionalism. However, we also asked for the owner’s contact information, as we felt it was important to let him know directly what had happened, not to cause harm, but so accountability could be taken and future customers wouldn’t face the same experience.

When my husband reached out, we were shocked by the response. Instead of empathy, the owner became defensive, saying things like, “What do you want then? You want 10k? You want my shop? This feels like extortion.” All we had hoped for was accountability and a genuine apology. Honestly, even a small gesture like a gift card would have left me feeling heard and reassured. Instead, the conversation ended with him saying, “Do whatever you want.”

What makes this situation feel especially disappointing is that in the past we’ve had pleasant exchanges with the owner. I even seriously considered renting the upstairs space from him for my own business a couple years ago, which makes the way this interaction unfolded feel even more disheartening. And the real irony here is that last year I actually had a conversation with him about the apples. He explained that during warmer months they sometimes spoil in transit, and that one way he checks for a bad apple is by pulling on the stick. If it comes out too easily, that is usually the sign it has gone bad. Remembering that conversation while staring at the mold on my apple this weekend felt like a full-circle moment, and not in a good way. It highlighted exactly the type of problem he had once acknowledged himself.

I want to be clear: I’m not calling for people to stop supporting Sweet Ethan’s. We love our small businesses and want them to succeed. But accountability and kindness should always be at the heart of customer service. Mistakes happen, it’s how a business owner chooses to handle them that defines the experience.

To the owner: I understand there are opportunistic people out there who may have made you defensive over time. But in a close-knit community like Monrovia, many of us are simply looking for honest communication, accountability, and a little grace when problems arise. That’s how trust is built and how small businesses thrive for...

It's a store, and not a restaurant. This place has an amazing assortment of drinks and candies and knickknacks and soaps and bracelets and treats and chips and hats and scarves and CBD and Funko Pops and candles and and and! So much stuff! While I will start by saying that their candies are extremely overpriced, it seems everything else there is very reasonably priced. I bought some really good soaps, a leather bracelet, and 2 craft sodas for less than $10! I've been there a few times and both staff were extremely polite and helpful. They're a sponsor of Little League sports so I really wanted to support them, and I'm glad that I found that spot. They have a lot of things you won't find anywhere else, and a lot of things you've never heard existed. I should also note that the employees said that the owner's really cool. It's in a fantastic spot on Myrtle, so if you ever nearby to have a drink, a meal, or see a movie, I really suggest going in there just to see the vast array of items they have. Help support those who support Little League sports...

I was in the establishment when the individual above was approached, he was making advances at the young women in an inappropriate manner. It was for the best this person was removed to keep these young girls in a safe environment. That behind said, I couldn't be more impressed with the quality of service of this establishment. There is such a wide range of products here that someone like me that doesn't even have a sweet tooth will return for more. My favorite product is their CBD gummies (the even have topical CBD)! They are high quality and way cheaper than anything you'd find in the area. My wife and I love...