When I was in Chicago for Laura's bridal shower, I was able to spend a few days where she grew up. She took me to The Red Door Candy Store - a little shop that wouldn't be out of place on Disneyland's Main Street USA ... which is how all of Glen Ellyn looks, quite honestly! It was just a little hallway, stacked from floor to ceiling with every kind of candy you can remember.
We checked out and the man tallied up our totals in his head :
"Eighty" he said.
"Cents???" I replied
I left with a handful of Charleston Chews for The Cubs game (my favorite candy from spending long summers sitting in the baseball bleachers in my own hometown).
It's things like this - sweet shops and summer traditions - that make us who we are. Maybe that's why it feels so special to see a person's memories; the sparkling moments of childhood and the places they call home.
Because when you really love someone, you love those places too.
The Red Door Candy Store is located on W. Front St in Wheaton, IL. technically it's called The Little Popcorn Store ... but, whatever.
(photos) on film with my Pentax K1000 - except for the 3rd, which is from LauraMarieGiven on Instagram.
(photos) on film with my Pentax K1000 - except for the 3rd, which is from LauraMarieGiven on Instagram.
It's so funny to hear the different names that people give The Popcorn Shop (which is what I called it during my childhood). I spent 21 years in Wheaton before moving to Portland, and spent many afternoons picking out Ring Pops, Pixi sticks, and all sorts of other treats that made my teeth hurt. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
ReplyDeletethat's really neat to hear, Alyssa! I love the small connections we find in blogging sometimes. Wheaton was such a picturesque town - I bet it was a sweet place to grow up (pun intended).
DeleteAwww I wish we could go back to this day... :) And can we please talk about how seriously I'm taking my candy picking? Ha!
ReplyDeleteyou were probably mourning the loss of all other possible candies by finally choosing one (story of our lives).
DeleteI'm literally crying I'm laughing so hard.
DeleteAw I love old candy stores. When my family used to take annual trips to "the mountains" [as my sister and I called Arrowhead/Big Bear], we would visit this candy place and go crazy. Still one of my favourite memories from childhood.
ReplyDeleteyay the popcorn shop!! I grew up in wheaton and this was definitely 1 of my favorite places :) i've never heard it called 'the red door candy store', that's really cute! glad you had a nice time :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my best friends goes to college in Wheaton (and a childhood friend lives in Glen Ellyn) and yet I have not heard of this place.
ReplyDeleteClearly I need to make a little trip to visit!
Aww, this is so sweet! And I love that first picture - the fact that you weren't completely ready for it just makes the picture.
ReplyDelete