One of life’s treasures is the sweet memories we can reminisce about. I was hanging out in a little hidden pocket of Long Beach, CA called Belmont Shore where sits a nostalgic candy store that will let you be a kid again. Powell’s Sweet Shoppe isn’t exactly a candy store from the past that still stands, but in a youthful old beach neighborhood, that is the vibe you will get and it is one of my life’s treasures….more so because I could utterly live on sweets!
Although Powell’s Sweet Shoppe doesn’t date back to the 1900’s and opened in late September 2003 in Windsor, California. It launched with the essence of the bygone eras. Windsor is a small rural town in the heart of the Sonoma County wine country. The original store is located in a Main Street USA style development designed in the style of Victorian America, with shops on the ground level and residences above. Powell’s Sweet Shoppe faces a 5-acre Town Green where families gather on warm summer evenings for movies, concerts, and festivals.
Believing in the old-fashioned retail model where you get to know your customers, learn their names and carry their favorite candies all the current shops reflect this image, thus bringing us to Belmont Shore. As I strolled down 2nd Street after dinner glancing at the privately owned shops of original designs and gift shops, my sweet tooth lured me into Powell’s Sweet Shoppe.
Like a little girl I salivated over all the candy I could grab out of wooden buckets and barrels. My favorite was the old fashioned library index card cabinet that had been repurposed to hold candy in alphabetical order. Everything from individual pieces of Airheads and bubblegum to Zots were filed away in them.
Head to the back of the store for a huge Sixlets display and don’t miss Masson Jars filled with candy canes of every flavor you can image. I’m a fan of all things vintage and I loved the décor which was enhanced by a row of old fashioned school auditorium seats to take you back to your school days while you sat to contemplate on which candy to pick.
The old fashioned sweet shop is one of life’s treasures that reflects those innocent years, simpler and sweeter times.
