Dishing Nostalgia: Debbie's Sweets 'n Treats

Debbie and Mark Maley love candy. Especially classic candy. And so do those lucky enough to discover Debbie's Sweets 'n Treats in Oak Creek, WI.
The South Howell Avenue store opened in 1998, NostalgicCandy.com went up in 2000.
Debbie's has taken a greater interest in gumballs, Pez, and Wonka since I've been over by da southside der.
In addition, they've moved down the road, and scored Pucker Powder and Blackjack Taffy.
Debbie waxes nostalgic about making their own black mustaches and orange harmonicas.
The Classic Corner
Memorabilia and nostalgic candy lovers are major reasons why the store is 400 square feet bigger.
"We were finding that a lot of people come in looking for memorabilia," says Debbie.
The sweet shop cut back on their novelty section, with more changes likely to be made in favor of nostalgia.
"It’s very rare that you see anything actually go from the novelty section for the kids," Debbie says. "It’s like they high tail it straight to the Classic Corner too."
They've also beefed up the Pez section (mmm, beef Pez).

Boomers
If my math is correct (and it usually isn't), Debbie and Mark are tail end Boomers. Debbie originally thought of opening an old general candy store, when husband Mark suggested targeting the '50s, '60s, and '70s.
"Even the kids now are taking after their parents, their grandparents, and they’re going for the little wax juice bottles. Of course candy cigarettes will always be a big thing no matter how old, how young you are."
Smack me with a baby seal, but I like my chocolate cigarettes to look like Winstons, and my bubble gum Round Ups to blow fake smoke.

Self-reliance
The Maleys have learned a few things over the past almost decade, such as checking on an item's availability for themselves.

They can track down Hot Cinnamon Toothpicks. They can envision a soda glass filled with marshmallow and root beer float gumballs.
May their bubble gum galaxy keep expanding.

beanie and poodle photo from Mark Maley