Calorie-conscious? Delete this now.

Sugar smackers? Welcome home.

Sugar Sugar, the candy store to end all candy stores, is open. Created by Joni Wheeler (with some help from her hubby), the boutique confectionery brings Willy Wonka and his Chocolate Factory to life in 2009.

Within bright white walls covered by vintage candy memorabilia, the shop peddles a combination of retro and contemporary candies: Bit-O-Honey, absinthe cordials, organic jelly beans, Satellite Wafers, Christopher Elbow Artisan Chocolates, chocolate mustaches (Teddy and Gentleman), fresh local marshmallows from Very Prairie by Susan Dietrich, and Papabubble hard candies (including beautiful rings).

Our favorites so far: The peanut Five Star Candy Bar (as popularized by Steve Almond's "Candyfreak") is crispy and peanut-buttery and the salty/sweet black licorice caramels. (Did you know that Minnesotans eat the most licorice of the 50 states?)

There are plenty of special touches: Illustrator Elvis Swift designed the logo in exchange for free candy for life (he likes filling-pullers!). Pre-packaged candies come with vintage Cracker Jack prizes or in little vintage hats. You'll even sniff Inspirations Payard perfumes in flavors such as pistachio ganache.

It's easy to find something for every sugar-addict out there. Because you know what they say.

You are what you sweet.

Sugar Sugar, 3803 Grand Av. S., Mpls., 612-823-0261. Tue. through Sat., 11 to 7 p.m. and Sun., noon to 5 p.m.

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