Smeeks and Frances (the badger and the boutique) and The Joy of Nut Cups
posted Thursday July 23rd, 2009
I’m so obsessed, I could write a book about Smeeks, the candy store that opened last week in central Phoenix. If you’re lucky enough to live here or visit here (can you believe I just wrote that? and in July!) you’ll find Smeeks on the northwest corner of Central and Camelback, in the inside-out strip mall that houses one of my other favorite shops, Frances.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the owner of both, Georganne Bryant, has the exact same taste as me — except much, much better.
And for that I’m grateful. I’m grateful that for once, I can write about a retail establishment I visited and loved, and have it be one that’s actually here in my hometown. And I’m grateful that someone else understands the joy of nut cups.
It’s funny because I first learned about nut cups in “A Birthday for Frances.” The boutique is named for Bryant’s grandmother, not the badger in my favorite children’s books, but still. It’s a sign, I tell you!
But not as cute a sign as the one Bryant hung on her shop. I won’t bore you by discussing the fact that Bryant sells nut cups in various colors, adorably packaged with the Smeeks tag; or that she has a super assortment of old school candy and sparklers shaped like stars and numbers (for birthdays) and suprize balls (please don’t tell me you don’t know what a suprize ball is) and a photo booth; or that her store is sweet, but you won’t get a cavity — there’s even a “gun” section for boys; or that every bit of the small place — from the polka-dotted oilcloth to the shiny red enamel paint to the vintage toys behind the counter to the gnome mascot – is to die for. (The only thing missing is a jar of Chompo bars.) I’ll show you some pictures, instead.
COOL BEANS!
I can’t wait to visit this place. Thanks Amy.
Yay! A reason to get excited about returning from Chicago next week.
Are you trying to torture me? Taunting me with a candy store that cool that I can’t immediately jump into my car and visit is just plain mean.
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