As humanity traveled evolution’s long road from savanna scavengers to earth’s dominant species, many inventions, both great and terrible, marked our progress. The telephone, the atomic bomb, penicillin and the internet—all of these things mark the wonders that the human brain is capable of dreaming up. But there’s one thing that stands above them all as humanity’s greatest achievement: Candy.
I love candy. Fruit-flavored, chewy, sour, gummy, full of artificial colors and flavorings—I love it all. And Colonial Candy Corner in historic downtown Hot Springs is a fun, kitschy place to get your sugar rush on.
Fun fact about Colonial Candy Corner: the store is located in an enclosed alley-way, something that becomes apparent when you take a look at the long, narrow layout and exposed brick on either side. But what isn’t so apparent is that this particular alleyway was attached to a former mortuary—so as you’re picking through the mountains of salt water taffy and boxes of Wonka-brand sweets, keep in mind that there are probably a bunch of ghosts looking on with envy.
The best candy shop I’ve ever been to is Rocket Fizz in Ft. Collins, Colorado. That particular store is a wonderland of retro candy, crazy sodas and other fun things to satisfy a sweet tooth. Colonial Candy Corner isn’t quite on the level of a place like Rocket Fizz—there just isn’t a wide enough selection of truly retro candy for my taste. However, a lot of the bulk candy and things like gummy fruit slices were all tasty and well-made, and I feel certain that if we all work together to throw some business their way, they’ll keep expanding their offerings. In any case, this is a fun, fun store located in one of my favorite parts of the state—so stop in and get some sweets next time you’re in town.
