A warning to any parents who forbid sweets and treats: This story is not for you. Stop reading now. I mean it. This is going to get very sugary. You will not approve.
For the rest of us: Any parent who has spent winter break indoors during chilly December cooped up with a gaggle of kids knows that it sometimes takes bribery to get the wee ones to cooperate. Sometimes a sweet incentive dangled before a cute little face might actually get junior to Stop. Hitting. His. Sister.
Need your little one to finish that worksheet or tackle that reading assignment? Promise a sweet escape to a locally owned (or operated) candy, ice cream or cookie store that offers interesting and unusual treats. I call it "Project Parent Bribe." You might be inclined to call it Operation Keep My Sanity.
Tip: You can shop these same stores for locally made treats for stocking stuffers and holiday gifts.
Bribe 1
The science of dessert: Subzero Ice Cream & Yogurt
Information: 31653 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way, 253-941-3248, subzeroicecream.com
Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday
The treat: Part ice cream shop, part science lesson, Subzero in Federal Way is a locally operated franchise for the national ice cream chain that uses a ridiculously awesome medium for freezing ice cream ñ liquid nitrogen. Subzero reminded me of Cold Stone Creamery ñ if the ice cream shop had been taken over by Bill Nye. Start with your choice of liquid ice cream base (ranging from yogurt to the full-fat good stuff, and soy, too, in nearly 50 flavors), then select from a list of about 25 mix-ins (candies, cookies and more), then watch as the pipe shoots out liquid nitrogen and freezes your concoction. The smoky-looking whoosh of nitrogen cold-blasts the ice cream with impressive flair viewable from most of the dining area. You pick the level of chill in your ice cream ñ from soft serve (I liked that texture best) to brain freeze pellets (think Dippin' Dots, but with a more satisfying texture). The kid-size serving is $3.39 and comes with one mix-in.
Tip: Add-ins get expensive, so set a limit before you arrive.
Bribe 2
Cookie monsters: Cookies Your Way
Information: 14706 Meridian E., No. 6, Puyallup, 253-881-1104, cookies-your-way.com
Hours: 10 a.m-6 p.m. Tuesday-
Saturday
The treat: Christine Johnson and her children formerly operated their cookie bakery in Freighthouse Square but moved this year to a small warehouse space in South Hill. The storefront is small and tucked into the same building as Maxi-Space Warehouse. Johnson bakes cookies daily, and serves espresso, too. Kid favorites are the M&M cookies, but the cinnamon swirl or double chocolate truffle are recommended for mom. Cookies are $1.95 each.
Tip: Young tykes can occupy themselves with a game of checkers in the small seating area.
Bribe 3
Candy Two-fer: Brown & Haley outlet stores and the Johnson Candy Co.
Brown & Haley retail stores: 110 E. 26th St., Tacoma, 253-620-3067 (open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday); 3500-C 20th St. E., Fife, 253-926-0240 (open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-
4 p.m. Sunday).
Johnson Candy Co.: 924 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253-272-8504 (open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday).
The treats: Roca abounds at the factory stores for Tacoma's famous candy company, Brown & Haley, the makers of Almond Roca. My personal favorite is the Candy Cane Roca, available for a limited run during the holidays. (Stock up.) Johnson Candy Co. has operated on Tacoma's Hilltop for decades (first as a lunch counter, then as a candy shop). The house-made truffles are good for parents or grandparents, but kids will like the peanut butter smidgens in the shapes of Christmas characters.
Tip: Gift-wrapped boxes of chocolates are at the ready at Johnson Candy, and Brown & Haley stores offer deals and steals for office or teacher gifts.
Bribe 4
Pop up some fun: Great Northwest Popcorn
Information: 1948 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-779-5676, greatnorthwest
popcorn.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday
The treat: Popcorn by the bag ($2.50-$4) comes in all kinds of configurations and flavors at Great Northwest Popcorn: Butterscotch, cherry-vanilla, green apple, peppermint, peanut butter and all kinds of sugary popcorns are made on site. If you're lucky, you'll catch the popping and flavoring in action through a street-view window. They also make their own candies.
Sue Kidd dines anonymously and all meals are paid for by The News Tribune. Reach her at 253-597-8270 or sue.kidd@thenewstribune.com.
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