Candy.
Candy.
Candy.
Chez Lollipop, a new specialty candy shop in downtown Ansonia, has lots of it.
The bright shop, at 293 Main St., has rows and rows of colorful lollipops, chocolates, jellied candies and delicious treats laid out in rainbow-colored boxes.
Owner Cathryn (Cat) Lyddon opened Chez Lollipop in downtown Ansonia after selling her candy online for almost a year. She makes candy arrangements for special events and sells smaller quantities of candy in the store.
The Valley Indy recently sat down with Lyddon to talk business, Nickel Nips and how she keeps the store from melting.
Valley Indy: Why do you have all your candy color sorted?
Cat Lyddon: I wanted to make it easy for customers to find colors easily. They often make gift baskets with different colors and also need theme colors for weddings and bridal showers. I set it up this way so people can easily pull things to match.
Valley Indy: When did you start Chez Lollipop?
Lyddon: I started the store in the middle of July. But most people didn’t know I was open because I kept the shade closed to keep it cooler in here so the chocolate wouldn’t melt.
Valley Indy: Tell me about your candy.
Lyddon: The lollipops are handmade by other people. The chocolate is fine dark chocolate like M &Ms, without the M.
Valley Indy: Do you like chocolate?
Lyddon: Oh, yeah. I want you to try this.
Valley Indy: What is it?
Lyddon: Lavender-scented chocolate. You get a dark chocolate taste with a floral smell.
Valley Indy: It tastes good and smells sort of pretty.
Valley Indy: Let’s talk candy. Your favorite?
Lyddon: I like chocolate. I have a few favorites in the store. The Seattle truffle is a very creamy and smooth chocolate, but dark. It’s a pleasant feel for the mouth. Here, try the gummy grapefruit. But smell it first.
Valley Indy: Wow, it smells just like a sweet grapefruit. It tastes like it too.
Lyddon: I know. I love them in the summer time.
Valley Indy: Do you have anything unique?
Lyddon: We have a Cabernet-flavored candy cane.
Valley Indy: As in the wine?
Lyddon: Uh huh. But, it’s not alcoholic. It’s nonalcoholic candy cane made with real Cabernet.
Lyddon: Here, I want you to taste these. They are chocolate-covered espresso beans.
Valley Indy: Wow, these are great too. They taste sweet but sort of poignant like gritty coffee. They’re delicious.
Lyddon: There’s a whole world of candy beyond Snickers and Kit Kat that people don’t know about.
Valley Indy: Where do you get your products?
Lyddon: I get my products at several places. I went to the Philadelphia Candy Show, The Fancy Food Show in New York. I also really researched to find companies where the candy looks good and tastes great while not just being sugary — yuck. Do you want to try anything else?
Valley Indy: Uh, no. I think I am starting to get a sugar rush. Speaking of sugar, do sell any sugar free candy?
Lyddon: Right now we have sugar free licorice Scotty-dog-shaped candy and sugar free taffy. I will also be getting in sugar free fudge.
Valley Indy: I’m wondering, did you like candy a lot when you were a kid? What was your favorite?
Lyddon: I liked Razzles and Nickel Nips.
Valley Indy: Nickel Nips?
Lyddon: Those little wax bottles with sweet liquid inside.
Valley Indy: Okay, now I know what those are. My favorite were Squirrel Nuts and Mary Janes. Anything else you want to show me or tell me about with your new store?
Lyddon: Well, we do have jelly fruit slices that are sweet without too many chemicals. They are made by Liberty Orchard.
Chez Lollip is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment too. Call (203) 736-3725 or visit their website at www.Chezlollipop.com for more details.
