At Sugar & Ice, the new pop-up candy store that’s opening tomorrow in Chevy Chase, there’s plenty of the sweet stuff—Mary Janes, Tootsie Rolls, Bit-o-Honey, Necco Wafers, jawbreakers, salt water taffy, gummy worms, you name it. And the ice? Snow cones infused with Jelly Belly syrups.
The sugar rush is the brain child of Christina Bennett, a broadcast designer who consults for Viacom and BET Networks. For the past year, she’s also been running Sugar & Ice, a candy catering company that provides treats at department store fashion shows, Bar Mitzvahs, weddings and other venues.
At the various events, Bennett said people kept asking her “‘where are you located? We want to see your store.’” So she decided to take the semi-plunge with a month-to-month lease on Wisconsin Circle; she’s shooting for being open from June to August, but could extend it if things go well.
Aside from jars filled with candy for $10 a pound, Sugar & Ice sells Moon Pies, tubs of cotton candy, jars of honey and vanilla cane sugar, as well as decorative baking cups, pictures frames, cookie jars, candle holders, toys and even some jewelry.
This is no penny candy joint; the store is white and sleek, and crystal chandeliers—left from the previous tenant—hang from the ceiling. There’s also a private party room in the back, and the entire shop can be rented along with it, to accommodate up to 50 party goers, says Bennett.
As for her foray into candy, Bennett says she “knows it sounds corny, but I wanted to do something fun and nostalgic to bring people joy.”
Sugar & Ice, 7 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy Chase, 202-503-9407, www.sugar-and-ice.com. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
