Abdallah Candies has received preliminary approval to build a new production and retail facility in Apple Valley, Minn.

In 2016, the fourth-generation, family-owned company will start construction of the new space. The facility will cover 159,000 sq. ft. when complete, starting with an initial 74,000-sq.-ft. space to house Abdallah's new production and retail facilities.

The new building, which will supplement an existing 58,000-sq.-ft. facility in Burnsville, will help Abdallah meet the needs of its growing customer base.

“An additional production facility will give us the ability to make more of our signature confections for our retail, gift and corporate customers as well as expand our product offering in the future,” says Steve Hegedus, ceo and fourth-generation family owner, Abdallah Candies. “We’re also excited to have an additional retail store, this one in Apple Valley’s busy retail district, creating greater exposure with consumers in the Twin Cities.”

Hegedus hopes the facility will be completed by August 2016.

The new site will have more parking space and improved traffic flow to accommodate employees, retail customers and tour buses. In line with improving the employee environment, the facility will also include a large break room, locker room and dedicated outdoor space.

The retail store will be 3,600 sq. ft., making it larger than Abdallah's current store and providing ample space to sell gourmet chocolates and candies, greeting cards, and gift items. The space will also include a dipping room — an area visible to guests where employees hand dip confections like stemmed cherries in milk and dark chocolate.