San Francisco - May 09, 2007

Dude! Sweet!

The Candy Store

It’s Monday afternoon, 1983. You and your bro get allowance for the week. Two bucks. Sweet! The plastic streamers on your Big Wheel whip in the wind as you hightail it to the candy store.

You’re gonna need more than $2, but you can still relive the thrill at The Candy Store in Russian Hill.

The pint-size mom and pop shop deals in old-fashioned American sweets, sours, gummies, and artisan chocolates.  Old-fashioned candy jars line the shelves. Stuff your maw full of Big League Chew. Go nuts for Zagnuts, gaga for GooGoo Clusters, stupid for Skybars, and just plain bananas over Valomilks.

Mom likes the fancy stuff, so pool your pennies for French river stones (candy-coated apricots, almonds, and marzipan), Zotter cinnamon-nougat drinking chocolate, and chocolate-covered caramel pretzels from V Chocolates. They also do custom party favors perfect for b-days and showers.

Last one there is a rotten egg.

The Candy Store, 1507 Vallejo Street, at Polk Street (415-921-8000 or thecandystoresf.com).