WINSTON WEEKLY

October 25, 2026

Vol. 4, No. 43

SIMPLY SWEET[1]

Outside the mass manufacturing of Halloween candy are numerous small businesses focused on the craft of candy making. One such simply sweet business is only a short drive from Kansas City. Historic downtown Bonner Springs, Kansas is home to CST Sweet, founded by Tracy Shiner. Named for children C.J., Savannah, and Taylor, CST operates as The Kansas City Brittle & Toffee Co with the slogan, “Life’s sweeter at CST.” Using family recipes for more than two decades, its toffee has shipped to more than 60 countries. With a buttery, caramel base, each batch is hand-poured. Available toppings include cinnamon sugar, pretzels, expresso, and the renowned bacon brittle.

Additional sweets include truffles, biscotti, turtles, candied nuts, caramels, gourmet popcorn, and ice cream. Scooped fresh daily, the ice cream flavors rotate, making it a regular stop for locals. With the production kitchen visible, visitors can see the care that goes into making the daily delights and can even build custom gift boxes. Group events and educational tours are also available.

CST’s reach expands beyond its retail business, fostering philanthropy with Happy Hearts Working (HHW), and Fox 4 Love Fund.  HHW serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing social environments, life skills, and housing options for semi-independent living. During the 40-plus years of its existence, the Love Fund has served more than 240,000 children experiencing poverty, from newborns to age 18. Whether warm blankets, essential clothing, connections for medical and other needs, the Love Fund serves the Greater Kansas City area.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Learn about Bonner Spring’s history, and how CST and other businesses in the area have navigated challenges and opportunities over the years. Consider how the challenges and opportunities apply to your community.

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[1] Winston Weekly is a weekly blog and newsletter by Alysen Bayles of Bayles Connect: “Learn, live, love, read.” Resources: https://www.cstsweets.com; https://www.happyheartsworking.org; https://www.fox4lovefund.org; Roger B. Miller, Bonner Springs, Arcadia Publishing, 2013; www.bonnersprings.org.