The Minerva Candy Store was opened in 1905 by John and Gus Klenkious. The Webb City store, built in 1913 and part of a group of stores including Joplin and Carthage, was sold to Jim Mallos in 1921. Both Klenkious and Mallos were of Greek descent. Jim's son, Gene, assisted him in the candy store. Gene married Jo Anne in 1945 and had two sons - Jimmy Richard (Duke). Jim Mallos passed away April 14, 1981 and Gene followed six months later leaving Jo Anne to run the store. The Mallos family lived above the store until 2008 when Jo Anne died.

Jo Anne and her sons ran the business until 1995 when it was closed to the public. It reopened to the public in 1996 with the help of many friends. They had been selling large candy canes on a wholesale basis during the time they were closed to the public. The operations shut down completely in 2005, the 100th anniversary of the candy operation.

The building was purchased by Tom and Mary Hamsher from Duke and Tobi Mallos in August of 2011. Restoration of the building began immediately. The building was rebuilt so that the production of hard candy would again be a part of the building's history. Minerva now offers homemade ice cream, an espresso bar, and a deli.

The deli building was originally the Corl Book Store when it was built in 1910. The building was several businesses including a cafe in the 40s. Most people will remember the building as the Webb City Bakery, owned by Virgil Wright. Stan and Jeanne Newby purchased the bakery from the Wrights in 1985. They operated the Sweet Shoppe until 1990 when the Minerva purchased the building and used the space for packaging and storage of candy. The openings between the two buildings were cut at the time of purchase.