Lord Licorice, may I have a minute?

My husband will be making an annual pilgrimage this week. He’ll leave his office, head down the cold, winter streets, pulling his coat closer to keep out the wind, walking swiftly to shorten the journey. It’s 5 blocks. Or, maybe 4.

Once there, he’ll order up some Red Hots, some Mexican Hats, a couple of gold coins, maybe a Scottie Dog or two.

He’ll have it all packaged up in pretty, red boxes, and bring it home to his adoring fans.

It’s a trip he makes every year just before Valentine’s Day.
And just before Christmas, and just before Easter, and just before Mother’s Day and my birthday and the kids birthdays and many other times. And it’s a trip we make as a family every time we’re in the Old Port in Portland (we took these pics on our last visit, so we could remember all the good stuff forever…until our next visit).

Old Port Candy Company.
Ever been there? Of course. How could you not? Best fudge, coolest candies, all your childhood favorites. Crazy stuff. We love it. I love those wax bottles with a tiny bit of juice in ‘em. Or, how about the Neopolitan Coconut Slices, remember those? All pink and white and brown? And those little skinny candy cigerettes that puff a little sugar when you exhale. Love those. And did I mention the fudge?

Oh, I did?

At this time of year, of course, there are special chocolates, truffles and boxes of fudge, all wrapped in red, velvet boxes. Add a little Bochox, and I’d say you can’t go wrong. How about bacon flavored jelly beans? Who doesn’t love bacon? Or let’s have some chocolate dipped Twinkies, shall we, or maybe some chocolate dipped potato chips. Oh, those sound SO good to me. Salt…sweet…

Anna, the Candy Queen at Old Port Candy Co has culled the best collection of new and old, hot and sour, sweet and sassy. She’s a candy lover. Through and through. The best part about Old Port Candy Co is that Anna loves ALL KINDS of candy, and it shows. She’s always seeking out the candies that you can’t live without. And when you walk in, you can tell that you’re in a shop run by someone who loves what they do. She’s like Willy Wonka. She’s probably got a bunch of Oompa Loompas out back, dipping Ring Dings into a huge vat of warm, gooey chocolate. Just for you.

Probably.

And she makes it really easy for you. Because she likes to share in the candy joy.

I usually call ahead before Christmas and give her a list, “This is what I want my husband to buy when he comes in…Oh, and don’t let him forget these…And, we can’t live without these…” And sometimes, when it’s a surprise for my husband, I just order online and have her send it to me. Why take chances?

Anyway, I’m pretty excited to see what Cupid brings this year. For the kids, maybe some chocolate hearts, some fire balls, some gummi crocodiles. For me…let’s see, will it be chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate licorice? Or, will it be my favorites: chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate licorice.

Tags: Out and About, Shop Talk

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