Candy is dandy here at the beach

One of the longtime sugar-centric staples in Rehoboth Beach is Snyder’s Candy. Jeff Balk’s pride & joy was honored by Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine and Food Network Magazine, and it’s easy to figure out why: Jeff stocks his store with row upon row of sugary memory makers, including those delightful multicolored licorice pastilles. (Think of Good & Plentys, but way smaller so you can fit more into your mouth.) He also specializes in a wide variety of imported licorice. Snyder’s keeps some of the old favorites in stock, like Black Jack and Teaberry gum (depending on the time of year), Sky Bars, Necco Wafers, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Mary Janes.

Just a few steps west, Michigan-based franchisor Kilwins has been making people smile since 1947, and they make, in-house, what I believe to be the best caramel in town.

The dark chocolate pecan and cashew turtles (they call them snappers) are not to be missed. Or take home a marshmallow on a stick, cloaked in caramel and rolled in chopped pecans. And don’t miss the toasted coconut or the salted caramel ice cream. Oops… and the peanut brittle. Govern yourself accordingly.

It’s hard to miss the huge international orange sign above the Rehoboth Boardwalk. And frankly, you don’t want to miss it: The storefront below is Dolle’s, a longtime Rehoboth Beach (and Ocean City, Md.) staple. It’s as much a symbol of Rehoboth as the bandstand and hungry parking meters. Dolle’s ancient taffy-making machines still crank out the tubular treats that share the counter with caramel corn. Next door, Ibach’s celebrates holidays with all sorts of handmade goodies. Speaking of caramel corn, whose is better: Dolle’s or Fisher’s? (By the way, both had their start in Ocean City.) You don’t need to tell me. I already know.

It’s hard to forget Candy Kitchen, mainly because there’s one pretty much everywhere you look. I can’t pass up the colorful fruit slice jellies and the King Tut fudge. By the way, fudge freezes just fine. I learned this out of necessity.

Just east of First Street Station is the very pink and very Austrian Kaisy’s Delights. The very French Langer family whips up a sweet pancake that you can decorate with tasty toppings. The official name for the confection is kaiserschmarrn, but you can just ask for a Kaisy. In fact they encourage that.

Kohr Bros. soft serve has been on Rehoboth Avenue since around the time the ocean was installed. In between the two stores (one north, one south) Chip Hearn’s Ice Cream Store vies for the strangest flavor names around. Archie’s has expanded to the north side of The Avenue, thus doubling your chances of scoring their unique style of ice cream and fresh lemonade. Speaking of brain freeze, Double Dippers on N. First Street is also one of the acknowledged late-night sources for Hershey’s cones and sundaes. OK, that should get your sugar rush started. Enjoy!