Candyland

Yes, Candy Man you were right. Mixing candy with love does make the whole world taste good.

Nobody knows this better than the folks at located in the heart of Catonsville at 819 Frederick Road. Since it’s opening on Sept. 26 of last year, my children have made many treks to the shop, barely needing to watch their step, guided by the same type of innate GPS birds use during yearly migration.

Ask my 13-year-old son about Ken’s and his gaze immediately softens, his face adopting a tender expression usually reserved for discussions of South Park, or roller coasters.

“I love that place,” says he, reflecting upon the role Ken’s has come to play in his transportation-hindered life. “It’s smells so good. And it’s so full of candy. Just when you think the store ends, it keeps going.”

Mary Chizmadia, owner of the shop, knows firsthand the love affair between kids and all things candy. Originally from New Jersey, Chizmadia and family have called Catonsville home since 1966. In 1985 Mary opened their first store, the Candy Box, located at 1610 Frederick Road. She and son Ken ran the shop until 2007, when new owners took over the business.

It seems candy runs in her blood, because in 2011 Mary opened up again, in the new location and under the name Ken’s Old Fashioned Candy Shop. Currently, son Ken has been taking a less demanding role in the day to day business, due to current health problems. He hopes to be back full time behind the counter later this spring.

Resident chocolatier Donna Peters helped the Chizmadias with the design of the store, and contributes to the addictive smells and sights with her creations, including chocolate covered pretzels, homemade lollipops, and crab-shaped chocolates. Nothing says Catonsville like a crab made out of chocolate.

Watching my kids race out the door with change clutched in their hands reminded me of my glory days in the seventies cruising the streets of Catonsville, headed for Field’s Candy Store, home of the best penny candy in town. Mr. Field had the great presence of mind to locate his store adjacent to Catonsville Elementary School (in the same location as the current day Park’s Dry Cleaners). This canny business move ensured a cash register overflowing with nickels and dimes originally intended for the lunch time purchase of white or chocolate milk.

Every Friday I would race out of school with my classmates as soon as the bell rang, five nickels wearing a hole in my pocket as I pushed my way into the Mecca that was Field's. I’ll never forget the incredible smell of the shop- a sort of old wood/plastic toy/ sugary candy/dirty sock odor that I swear I would wear as a perfume today.

I was sad when I heard that Field's had closed its doors, even though my childhood candy feasts were long behind me at the time. I’ll never forget my first true love.

As for Ken’s Old Fashioned Candy Shop, Mary is very happy with the move farther into the heart of Catonsville.

“This location is an interesting place. There’s a lot more activity being in the center of town. It’s very nice, and we have a lot of walk in traffic. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the other business owners up and down the street."

"Sometimes I’ll go out on the front porch with my coffee in the morning, and just watch the traffic go by.”

Just watching the traffic go by is one of the perks of being a small business owner in a small town. But considering the path that has been worn from my front door to the entrance to Mary’s shop, I don’t think she’ll have down time for long.