I love finding unique and fun concept food stores. Lola's Sugar Rush in Littleton Colorado is one such place. At Lola's you will find walls lined with glass jars filled with every kind of bulk candy imaginable! Including retro candy from the 40's 50's 60',70's and today. We sat down and talked with Lola about the store and how it came about.
I was born with a sweet tooth. That’s why my family nicknamed me Sugar when I was little. All my life I’ve dreamed of owning a candy shop. By the time I became an adult and had children, I heard another calling. I wanted to be a teacher. Once I helped my husband get through college, he did the same for me. I got my masters and became an elementary school teacher. I absolutely adore working with children!
I retired from teaching so I could shift my focus on other education issues. My husband and I are big believers in the power of education and we got into a position that we could help lower income kids get the support and the tools they need to be successful in school. We started an education foundation and I ran that for several years.
On my way into the office every day, I passed through historic downtown Littleton. I kept thinking what a great location it would be for an old-fashioned candy shop. Deep down, I still carried a dream of owning a candy shop. One day I saw the corner building on Main Street go-up for sale and the rest as they say is history. It was my time to realize my dream.
How long have you been in business?
We opened in April of 2009 so we’re about to celebrate our two-year anniversary. The time has absolutely flown by! I look back at these last two years and it’s as if someone has tripped the light fantastic. The Food Network has shot episodes of Unwrapped in here, photographers have shot family portraits and done modeling shoots here. One day, the Secret Service swept through and the next thing we knew, the Vice President’s wife, Jill Biden was in here buying gummy bears, fish and sours. It’s just been more than I imagined.
What has been the most fulfilling part of owing Lola's Sugar Rush, Any
experiences with customers that stand out?
Besides raising my family, this has been the most fulfilling time of my life. I wake up early every morning and I just can’t wait to get to the shoppe. I’m there most days and I try to greet everyone who comes in. My customers have become my extended family of sorts, and each day that family gets bigger.
Rarely have I seen someone come through the door who doesn’t immediately smile – People just seem to light-up when they get in here.
The kids who come in here are so funny to watch. Their eyes open wide, as if they’ve just been let into a magical room and they get this look like ‘Where should I start!”
I think my favorite part of owning the shoppe is watching parents and grandparents come in with their children. They can’t wait to show their kids the candies they used to eat when they were their age. I’m not sure who has more fun, the adults or the kids, because when kids come in they see candy, but when adults come in they see memories.
How much candy do you eat a day?
Yeash… I’m afraid to even think about it how much candy I’ve eaten since we opened. I sample every delivery to make sure everything is fresh. We carry more than 800 types of candy and I can tell you what each and every candy or chocolate tastes like, and in most cases, the history behind them.
I don’t really have any one particular candy that I snack on each day. It really just depends on my mood. Yesterday, I had a Haystack, today I had Swedish Fish. Next week, I’ll probably crave sours. There’s a reason my friends and family still call me Sugar.
Most underrated candy in store?
I like the Circus Peanuts. A lot of people hesitate to try them because they’re not sure what they taste like. Their appearance is deceptive. They are orange-colored and shaped like a peanut, but they taste like bananas. Go figure!
Are there any candies from your childhood you can’t find and wish you could carry.
As a kid, I loved Wacky Wafers, but they are no longer being made. When Nestle bought Wonka, they discontinued them. Every once in a while I hear rumors that they’re going to bring them back. I have my fingers crossed.
Where do you see your store 5 years from now?
Five years from now… On the good ship, Lola’s Shoppe, where bon-bons play, on the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay! How fun is that! Life is so sweet.
You can visit and buy your favorite candy from Lola's online store here.
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