Sweet Shoppe

We received a coupon in the mail recently for a new candy store that opened up near us in Laguna Niguel called "Powell's Sweet Shoppe". I decided to take the boys there after picking Dylan up from preschool today. I enthusiastically told him we were going there, handed him the coupon and he gladly obliged. A picture of a giant rainbow-colored lollipop was on the coupon and Dylan informed me that he wanted to get it. It was my turn to oblige and we were on our way! I have to say that I thought this place was going to be like every other candy store...not at all, we were in for a treat. The concept of "Powell's Sweet Shoppe" is that it is an "old-time, old-fashioned, old-world candy store taken from America's imagination." The first store opened in Sonoma County, California in 2003, and now the owners have begun to franchise. We are one of the few lucky areas to have a Shoppe near us. It offers a dizzying array of candies, yummy gelato, memorabilia and vintage items all over the walls and shelves, and a Wonka Wall. The Wonka Wall includes a flat screen playing the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (what the owners based their idea on) surrounded by a wall of well-placed candy and three actual movie theater seats to sit in if you so feel inclined to sit and enjoy, what else, some candy. There you have it, the makings of a very cool candy store. If one opens near you, go and enjoy a good old-fashioned time...