Big red lips like a wreath painted on the door invite you into a little world of candy, toys, novelties and ice cream. It's much more than a candy and ice cream store. Candy Kitchen (13711 Gulf Blvd.) This charming little shop, with its candy-cane-like red-and-white striped awning, is brimming with nostalgia — you won't just feel like you've been transported back in time, you'll actually feel like you've been transported back in time.
One of the few original buildings in Madeira Beach, Candy Kitchen remains intact from its original construction in 1950. Inside, a vast collection of 1,200 Pez dispensers adorns the walls, along with old-fashioned toys and games, including Slinky Dog, Simon, Cap Gun, Chinese Yo-Yo, and everyone's favorite clown (joke) Bozo. Old-fashioned candy boxes are on display in the restrooms. Candy Kitchen allows patrons to write their name on a 15-foot wall, if they can reach it far enough, so even if sweets aren't on your diet, it's worth a visit for its beauty alone.
Childhood candy
Of the three stores, Candy Kitchen's flagship and largest is in Madeira Beach, where it has been delighting customers since 1950. In addition to homemade ice cream, owner Matthew Giordano says, “Most of our customers come in for the nostalgic candy. We carry everything from abazabas to zagnuts. We carry over 500 varieties of candy.” [kinds of nostalgia candies].”
Candy Kitchen's soda bottles are also classic and emblematic of the era: “When it comes to soda, we try to work with ones made with real sugar because we stay true to the original taste. We're a museum as well as a candy shop, so if we see something being discontinued or changed significantly, we try to keep one of the last ones around.”
The history of Candy Kitchen is like a folk tale
Reportedly, Kurt Johnson, the original owner of Candy Kitchen, drove a little red van, like a clown car, and then after he stopped using it, he put it on the roof (I've seen pictures). The little red van stayed there, symbolizing Johnson's legacy, until a storm in the '80s blew it completely off the roof. “History [of Candy Kitchen] “It's more of a legend than anything…” Matthew says.
Matthew shared his favorite story: A World War II veteran and snowbird frequented the store and brought a gift from Chicago; he brought a slice of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and made it look like a miracle. In return, Matthew gave the veteran some Candy Kitchen merchandise, a hat, a shirt, and a mug. The veteran's son told Matthew that when his father died, he was buried in his regular military uniform, but underneath his neatly ironed clothes he was wearing a Candy Kitchen shirt.
Being buried with Candy Kitchen merchandise under your uniform… “If this story doesn't convey how important this place was to some people, I don't know what does,” Matthew says. But it makes sense, since the Candy Kitchen is a keepsake of happiness. Who wouldn't want to take that home with them?
Candy Kitchen is definitely a must-visit gem that will evoke memories for the older generation and fond memories for the younger generation. Check out Candy Kitchen on Instagram or browse their extensive alphabetical catalog of sweets here. Please note: Some items are only available at certain locations.
