Sugar: A tiny candy store opens in Proctor. Alert the children.

A candy store called Sugar opened in Proctor Thursday. I checked in by phone on opening day with owner Donna Schramm, a North End resident, who opened the shop that sells old-fashioned candy in a tiny space at 3901 N. 27th St.

And, no, you’re not reading incorrectly. This is the second old fashioned candy store to open recently in Proctor. Jubilee Cupcakes & Vintage Candy, a cupcake-candy store that used to be called Sweet Things, opened July 23. C.R. Roberts wrote about Jubilee here.

(Note to dentists: if you’re looking to set up shop, you might consider Proctor.)

I don’t have a die-hard candy obsession, and when I do, I usually go to the the Johnson Candy Company for truffles, but the store sounds like a neat place to take your favorite daughter, niece, sister, girlfriend, or to indulge your 1970s child infatuation with Flicks. It’s a prettied up Willy Wonka décor. Click "more" to read more about Sugar, and to see a few pictures of the shop.

Donna Schramm is a designer turned candy shop owner. She previously worked at IKEA as a designer, but has spent the last eight years as a stay-at-home mom. Here’s a quick look at the shop:

Type of candy: Think old school flavors from the 60s, 70s, and even the 80s. Necco Wafers and Pop Rocks have been the candies customers have been asking about since she opened. It's totally untrue that Little Mikie from the LIFE Cereal commercials died from mixing Pop Rocks and soda. I know because Snopes told me so.

Candy: It comes from all over from different candy manufacturers. The focus is on old-fashioned candy, Schramm said.

Local? I asked if she’ll be offering locally made candy, and Schramm said that her agreement with the Pacific Northwest Shop (she rents space from the store) is that she’ll let them handle selling local candy. Her focus is on old, sweet and kitschy cult favorites like, you know, Pop Rocks.

What was the big seller on opening day? “Today, a lot of people bought Flicks. They’re the little chocolate wafers (in the cardboard tube). They’re (the tube) not as long or as narrow as they used to be. A lot of people liked those today.”

What else will people like: “U-no bars, Look bars, Necco Wafers,” said Schramm.

What about those candy favors: “I’ll do customized wedding favors. That’s my focus right now.”

Why open a candy store? “I guess when I go into a candy store it makes me happy. … It’s going to be a fun environment,” said Schramm.

Sugar Address: 3901 N. 27th, TacomaPhone: 253-759-0461Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sunday MondayInfo: proctorsugar.com

This story was originally published August 7, 2010 at 3:23 AM with the headline "Sugar: A tiny candy store opens in Proctor. Alert the children. ."