Keeping it Sweet on Main Street

Gob stoppers. Fudge. Licorice. Jelly beans. Gumballs. Lollipops. Chocolate.

As a kid, there is nothing as irresistible as the tempting glow of a candy store. The delights inside offer a sugary adventure into the unknown. How long it will take to eat a gob stopper the size of your fist? What flavor jelly bean lies ahead? And finally, how many marshmallows is too many?

At Main Street Sweets in Martinez, the treats range from nostalgic to modern. Even for grown ups, it's hard to resist getting that childish gleam in your eye when you spot a childhood favorite. One taste can transport us back in time, when a pack of candy cigarettes and a handful of chocolate coins made everything right with the world.

Main Street Sweets has a glittering display of the classics, as well as a few locally-inspired goodies such as the "Beaver Cups"  — a concoction of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanuts, peanut butter, Rice Krispies, marshmallows and Heath Bar topped with crushed Butterfinger. This delicious invention was inspired by the controversial beavers of Alhambra Creek, and remains a favorite at Main Street Sweets.