There’s something about modern candy shops that sends even the most jaded adult into a child-like state. They’re complete with retro decor, walls lined with jars of colorful treats, and pastel colored packaging.
I’ve admitted before that I’m not a huge sugar fiend, nor am I the kind of person who dreams of chocolate. But the candies and candy bars I DO enjoy, I enjoy greatly. They’ll send me into a nostalgic state complete with memories of my youth (Fruit Stripe gum, Charms hard candies, bubble gum “cigarettes,” Charleston Chews and Jolly Rancher Stix), or of when I was living in Toronto or Hong Kong.
Because both places have connections to Queen Elizabeth, common English candies and chocolate bars were easy to find at your nearest supermarket. That’s why I found Fiona’s Sweetshoppe just off Union Square in San Francisco to be delightful. It’s a tiny little shop opened by a British native who missed her favorite English sweet treats.
They were stocked with sweets I haven’t seen in a while, like the full line of Cadbury chocolate products, Flake, Bounty, Aero, Smarties, Malteasers (both milk and white chocolate), the original Mars bars (which they don’t sell in America anymore), Rowntree Fruit Gums and Pastilles, and Fruittella chews. They also carry bulk candies that aren’t made in-house but shipped in from England.
Now, the English may not be known for their culinary genius, but they make some damn fine candy.
And though I was disappointed to see they didn’t carry my fave Coffee Crisp candy bars, I walked out with my pink bag full of sweet treats feeling like a kid in a…well, you know…
Fiona’s Sweetshoppe – 214 Sutter St., SF – www.fionassweetshoppe.com
Virgo in Wonderland 
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