10 great places to hit your sweet spot for Easter
— -- Need help filling your Easter basket? Dylan Lauren, founder of the popular Dylan's Candy Bar (dylanscandybar.com), a whimsical candy emporium with five locations, is a self-described Easter enthusiast and candy addict. She shares her favorite places to shop for sweets with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
Cottage of SweetsCarmel, Calif. "This unique shop has a homey feel and is one of the town's most charming landmarks," Lauren says. "It has a nice assortment of prepackaged and bulk candy." Licorice lovers will be in heaven to discover the many varieties, from sweet to salty, available here. There's also a great assortment of hard-to-get European candies and nostalgia mixes. 831-624-5170; cottageofsweets.com
CandyliciousHouston "This bite-sized candy store has fun, retro candy," Lauren says. "They also have 'candy cakes' made on site," custom creations that are made with foam core and studded with candy. The Easter Hut, a springtime version of these popular items, is as alluring as a Christmas gingerbread house and can be used as a centerpiece or in lieu of an Easter basket. There are two locations. 713-529-6500
The Candy LadyAlbuquerque "People often call me the candy lady," Lauren says. "But in Albuquerque's historic Old Town, Debbie Ball is second-generation. She brings true Southwestern flavor, including red chile, to fudge and other sweets at this cozy shop created by her mother." She also uses pinyons, the delicately sweet cone seeds from pinyon pines, the state tree, to make nut clusters, toffee, caramels, brittle and fudge. No hollow Easter bunnies here, only solid chocolate. 800-214-7731; thecandylady.com
Sugar HeavenBoston "Their motto is 'We have something for everyone,' and it's definitely true," Lauren says. "This store has a very cool collection of vintage tins and lunchboxes for the bulk and novelty candy. They let you mix and match items, which is perfect for a personal touch on an Easter basket." Boston Baked Beans, candied fruit slices and Atomic Fireballs are among 15,000 items to choose from. Other locations include Canada and Florida. 617-266-6969; sugarheaven.us
E.A.T. GiftsNew York "Ever since I was a kid, my mom has found all my Easter and birthday presents here," Lauren says. "I am a rabid rabbit collector, and this store offers rabbit-themed plates, plush toys, stationary, even piñatas." It also carries rabbit-topped PEZ candy dispensers, plastic wind-up chickens that lay small candy eggs, chocolate-covered sunflower seeds in rabbit-themed containers, and Bunny Bait, a carrot-shaped container filled with orange jelly beans. 212-861-2544
Savannah SweetsSavannah, Ga. "They have fresh taffy, fudge and candy apples that are accessorized with sprinkles in springtime colors and shapes at this old-school candy shop," Lauren says. It also has Bunny Rice Krispie treats, as well as pralines, glazed pecans, homemade caramels, peanut clusters, sugar and spice pecans, praline pecans, peanut brittle, cashew brittle, Divinity candy and other Southern classics. Solid chocolate bunnies are hand-molded for Easter. 800-423-1314; savannahsweets.com
Rocky Mountain Chocolate FactoryAspen, Colo. "The chocolate-covered marshmallows here are my favorites," Lauren says of this store, one of 339 franchises in the USA, Canada and United Arab Emirates. "The fresh dipped strawberries and other items can be packaged into a beautiful box for delicious gifts." Buy cream-filled Easter eggs, hand-wrapped in jewel-toned foil, or enter raffle for a 3-foot-tall chocolate rabbit. 970-925-5112; rmcf.com
Big TopAustin "This is a combination candy store and old-fashioned soda fountain where they still make classics like floats and malteds," Lauren says. "It's a cute and quirky place, just like the city." The store has a wall of nostalgia candy, including rarities such as Valomilks and Black Jack Gum. Eight varieties of Peeps' chicks and bunnies are available for Easter. 512-462-2220; myspace.com/bigtopcandyshop
M&M's WorldLas Vegas "The Colorworks section of this store offers an M&M's lover customizable packages in over 20 colors in any of the milk, peanut and dark varieties," Lauren says. For future holidays and special occasions, you can personalize M&M's with photos and messages for a one-of-a-kind gift (10 to 14 days required for delivery). 702-740-2504; mmsworld.com
Yippy I-O Candy Co.Jackson Hole, Wyo. "The utterly Western vibe in this barrel-stocked store is not your typical Easter candy haunt, but you can find malted Easter eggs and bunny candy corn in pastel colors to create your own springtime assortment," Lauren says. "They have tons of bulk candy. I love the vintage tin signs for my antique candy collection." The store also has sour bunnies, gummy bunnies and Easter gift tins. 800-301-2601