Canadian chocolate bars, penny candy jars and sweets that trigger waves of nostalgia line the shelves of Bella Mia Chocolate Shop. They also offer ice cream, sundaes, floats and milkshakes. There are very few corner candy shops like this left. Those that still stand generally cater to those looking for a gourmet, adult selection, or they sell cigarettes and beer right next to the Nerds and Hershey bars.
"The Chocolate Shop" (as its commonly known) is a throwback to the good old-fashioned candy store, but it has a few twists.
In addition to vintage sweets and Canadian treats, they also offer a product you're unlikely to find elsewhere. One of their top lines is made by a company called Hotlix. Scorpions, meal worms, crickets, ants and butterflies are a few of the surprise ingredients that Hotlix uses to create their popular products. Preserved inside each sweet lollipop, be it orange, lime, green apple or grape, is a little critter. If you're not a lollipop fan, they also offer bugs dipped in chocolate. Savory Crick-ettes and Larvets, available in flavors like salt and vinegar, bacon and cheddar, and sour cream, are a good choice for those looking for a light protein-laden snack.
Tom Margarucci, owner of Bella Mia tells me that they are a hot item. "You'd be surprised," he said. "Women buy them more than men. It's really like a 70/30 split. Most people buy them on a dare, but we end up with people that really like them."
These are a great conversation starter, gag gift (literally), or a treat for the brave gourmand of your group.
Bella Mia Chocolate Shop 1096 Hertel 447.0922