The Candy Baron - Laguna Beach
Now here's the kind of candy store I didn't think existed anymore. If Powell's Sweet Shoppe represents the here and now, The Candy Baron seems like it was unearthed from a time capsule buried back in the 30s.
You imagine Alfalfa, Buckwheat and Spanky with their faces stuck to the window drooling at the sugary bounty. This is a novelty candy shop where you believe the black and white photos of celebrities on the walls were hung when those people were still alive. Everywhere around you, there are relics that would be unknown to the target audience of kids who wouldn't know Woody Woodpecker from Richard Nixon.
The front half of the store is dedicated to that beach-side treat, salt water taffy, stocked in barrel after barrel, each morsel tied up in wax paper, sold by the pound, and in flavors you didn't expect of taffy. I tried a banana split and it kind of tasted like one. The dulce de leche was a spot-on impersonator.
The back half of the store has every conceivable permutation of teeth-rotting sweets. If it's made of sugar or HFCS, they have it. If you're in the market for an edible candy bra and panties, they will sell you a matching pair along with Pez dispensers galore, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Horehound Lumps, and candy cigarettes. Ah what I wouldn't give to have a pack of candy cigarettes when I was in elementary school. I'd act all cool until teacher took it away. Wait. I think that actually happened.
The Candy Baron
231 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, 92651
(949) 497-7508
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posted by elmomonster @ 9:44 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Those pictures give me diabetes!
May I ask: How do they price the candy? Is it by the pound or does it depend on the candy or is it per a piece, etc.?
Mark,
Ah I knew I forgot that detail. They price it about $5 pound. Not cheap, but reasonable considering they're in the thick of pricey Laguna Beach. They have these wooden baskets that you can go through and pick your lot of sweets!
I've been here before. A long time ago. There is a shop just like this in San Francisco too near Fisherman's Wharf. I'm not a taffy fan but I always get jazzed by all the pretty taffy pastel color.
wtf is horehound! actually, i just wanted to type horehound!!!!!
that place looks awesome! candy galore!!!
there used to be a store like this in horton plaza (downtown san diego) but it fizzled out in the mid 90's.
dig the little rascals reference too!
word ver:
pologna
Madison,
My taffy consumption, for a while, coincided with trips to Disneyland...and perhaps it should be, seeing as it IS candy, and the last thing I need is more candy! But you're right, like Jelly Beans, it's all about the possibilities, the weird flavors, of taffy that appeals to me...not so much taffy itself!
canine!
I like including horehound the same way you liked typing it! HOREHOUND!!! LUMPS!!!
And thanks for getting the Little Rascals reference!
Little Rascals, Woody Woodpecker, "Tricky Dick" Nixon!!?? How old are you??? ;)
Eddie,
Old enough to yell "Get off mah lawn!" HAH!
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