Oh my goodness. Gary Gendel was an esoteric visionary and I loved being the Manager of Primavera in the 1990s. To this day, so many of my good friends were discovered thanks to Gary, and the Sweet Dreams, Primavera, and/or Sweet Dreams Toy Store crew. His office, below the candy store, was a crazy cool sight to behold. He will be missed and I hope the Gendel family will give us all who worked for him plenty of time to travel in for a Celebration of Life. 

With admiration and appreciation,

Wendy Cook Wittmann

Gary, the kids of 1970s Berkeley, thank you! What an absolutely wonderful experience you (and your helpers) created for us!!
I used to live on Avalon Ave., circa: 1977.  That fact, in and of itself,  was truly a miracle straight out of a children's book! It was from a desperate child's prayer, said in a very childlike way ("Star light, star bright..."), to a very  'unknown god'  that got me the heck out of Oakland and into your incredible candy shop. .
I remember specifically asking to live in a mansion, but never asked for candy!  Prayer for home heard and answered meant spending a year of life in dream house only a stroll and stone's throw away from one of the neatest and most fanciful candy shops in the Bay Area. It was your shop, Gary.   I'm sad I never knew you or about you until I stumbled upon your death notice.  I now find myself wishing I could go back and say "thanks" to you in person as you once were instead of how you are now...
 I haven't been back to my old home town in years; I'm a stranger now, in more ways than one. I don't know if I'll ever return, but I do anticipate that every once in awhile, I'll catch some sort of time machine back there,  through an article, obituary, or recollection. For that, I am grateful. 
RIP.

I'm really going to miss my Uncle Gary. Even though I grew up in Southern California and he lived up north in Northern California, we were pretty close. People often said I reminded them of him, and though I didn't fully grasp it when I was younger, I understand it now. We not only looked related, but we both have an entrepreneurial sprit, were very particular about many things and shared many of the same preferences. 

The moments we shared during visits and family gatherings were precious to me. His close relationship with my mom, his sister, meant we stayed connected with regular chats and visits.

Uncle Gary played a pivotal role in shaping my life, and I looked up to him with deep admiration and respect. One standout memory is from when I was just 12 years old, visiting during spring break in the Bay Area. He took the time to show me the ropes at his Sweet Dreams candy store. Learning about all those treats, figuring out the scale and cash register, I felt like a little adult, and it's a memory that's etched in my heart forever.

In 1999, I made the move to the Bay Area, and our relationship grew stronger as I saw him much more frequently. As I ventured into entrepreneurship, I turned to him for advice and perspective. Gary wasn't just business minded; he was a mentor in all things artistic and a guide to our family's history. His passion, the store, was a guiding light on my path to becoming an entrepreneur.

Gary's passing leaves a void that can never be filled. I'll miss him deeply, from his wisdom to his unique quirks. His memory is a treasure I'll carry in my heart forever, and I'm thankful for the time we had together and the lessons he shared.

Gary added so very much to our neighborhood over the years. His focus was on happy things for his customers.  He will not be forgotten.

So sorry to hear about Gary’s passing! I worked for Gary starting in the early 80’s for many years! He handed the keys to one of his stores to a 21 year old me! I managed a few locations for him, including in Concord & Palo Alto! This all led to an accidental career in retail & then interior design. So happy to have run into him 2 years ago in his Toy Store, not knowing that would be my last chance to thank him for the many experiences and many friendships that formed at Sweet Dreams & Primavera!!!! Rest in peace Gary

For Dale, Gary's sister, and Lucia, Gary's wife,

I was shocked to hear of Gary's passing , nothing I would have expected.  I know you both must be hurting. I hope this note gives you both some comfort. I am Dassy, the first person lucky to work at Sweet Dreams for Gary.... that's a long time ago. I had recently talked with Gary and he told me two things: Dale, that he talks to you almost every day, and Lucia, that you take such good care of him and make him very happy.
My heart goes out to you both.
Dassy Shellenberger

Gary Gendel was a magician.  He filled a barber pole with jelly beans and turned a barber shop into a magical candy store.  And behind the counter was the most beautiful young woman with dark curly hair.   It was as if she were out of a fairy tale.   Her name was Dassy and she became known in Berkeley as the Sweet Dreams Candy Lady.  I know all of this because I watched it unfold.
My husband Derk and I were married in June 1971 in L. A.  In July we loaded our two cats and all our possessions into a U-Haul and drove to Berkeley to the corner of College and Russell where we had found an apartment.  Our dining room window overlooked sleepy College Ave.  Several months later we watched as Gary  opened his first store.  I became a long term sub in Berkeley and was a regular customer, buying licorice ropes to bribe my students.  I got to know both Dassy and Gary.  Fast forward two years and one day as I was looking into the window of one of the College Ave shops there was a tap on my shoulder.  It was Gary telling me he was opening a toy store and Dassy would be the manager.   "Would you like to manage the candy store?" he asked.  In two seconds that tap on the shoulder changed the direction of my life.  Gary taught me how to place orders, to make deposits, to call in payroll, and eventually I became his accounts payable writing all the checks.  Accounting was definitely my calling but I might not have known it without Gary. I worked for him for 25 years.   
My closest friends all worked at Gary's Sweet Dreams and Primavera stores.  His passing has affected me more than I might have guessed and I wished I could have said goodbye.  Lucia, we have not formally met but my heart aches for your loss.  Sweet Dreams is such an important part of my history and I will always think fondly of Gary and my time there.




Gary and I were fellow merchants on College Avenue. (I own Focal Point)... he was always curious about other people, a quality that I admired.  I'm very sorry to hear of his passing - too young. 

May his memory be for a blessing....

David Salk

Gary ‘s SWEET DREAMS brought such joy and happiness to the Elmwood for 52 years. He started in a tiny barbershop next to my
travel agency and it expanded and became very successful. We will miss his cheerful presence in the neighborhood. 

OBITUARY

Gary Michael Gendel

July 9, 1947 – August 11, 2023

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