Bites Nearby: Montrose Candy Company

The opened its doors a little over a year and a half ago, much to the excitement of my children. One of their favorite things is to take in a sack full of pennies on the first Saturday of every month and choose from hundreds of different candies that are only a penny apiece. Taking children in a candy store is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. I'm pretty sure I burn off all of the candy calories I consume after chasing my kids around this shop.

As a grown up, I still love candy shops. It's fun to remember all the candies I loved as a child. boasts an impressive selection of nostalgic candies complete with accompanying informational sheets. They stock Zagnut bars, Razzles, Charleston Chew, and two different types of Abba Zabba bars that take me back to my childhood. I recently bought some candy buttons while I was in the store. They don't taste as great as I remembered, but I have fond memories of eating them when I was on family vacations.

Bulk candy is available to purchase for $4.25 for one half pound. The selection ranges from gummy treats like red and black licorice Scottie dogs, octopi, sharks, jet fighters and even green army men to decadent mini chocolates like super malt balls, espresso beans, chocolate turtles, and my personal favorite: chocolate covered gummy bears.

If you're giving bulk candy as a gift, purchase a special container to creatively hold your new treats. Teddy bears, stars, butterflies and hearts are just some of the shapes. The store will even personalize the container and top it off with a ribbon. You can also bring in your own container from home and they will still decorate and personalize it for free.

Over 50 different flavors of salt water taffy baskets decorate the walls and remind me of traveling to Catalina Island. If you're itching for a taste of Balboa Island but don't want to leave the shopping park, don't fret. Montrose Candy Company serves up authentic frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and then rolled in one of several toppings like crushed Oreos, sprinkles or nuts.

Their selection of classic chilled sodas in glass bottles also bring back a flood of memories, with choices such as Ryan's sugar cane soda, American Orange Cream, and Frostie Blue Cream Sodas. Imported candies from England, Canada, and Europe are also available. Vintage reproductions of metal lunch boxes and tin signs are for sale throughout the store.

Montrose Candy Company also offers . They specialize in 2 hour parties complete with arts and crafts, candy container decorating, games like "candy bingo" or a bubble gum blowing contest, and gift bags.

I recommended going to this candy shop by yourself to spend some time enjoying all that the store has to offer before bringing the children in. This is a candy store caters to adult tastes in sweets, but children love it just the same.

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