Big Top Candy Shop

A morning errand took us to South Congress Avenue (or SoCo, if you are a hip Austinite), so the buddies and I decided to check out Big Top Candy Shop. Since we've lived here, I've heard many people talk about this old-fashioned gem and was surprised to learn this morning that it has been an Austin fixture for less than 3 years. You sure wouldn't know that by the looks of the place.


Walking inside is like stepping back in time. Old-time poster prints and antique instruments adorn the walls above row after row of nostalgic candy. Treats are displayed inside pretty urns or rusty old wagons beside a real old-fashioned soda shop.

I told each buddy they could pick out one treat - anything they wanted. Ace immediately went for a giant lollipop. Ben wandered the by-the-pound candies, changing his mind with every new candy he spied. He finally settled on gummy chicken feet. I ate one, because he offered, even though its grotesque shape made me gag a little.

After we paid for our treats, we window shopped with our sugary stash. Ace delighted in showing his giant lolly to the diners at all the restaurants we passed. And, this evening, when Ben's chicken feet were long gone and Ace's giant lolly barely had a dent in it, Ace asked Ben, "Don't you wish you'd picked this one instead?" Ben said, "No. I just should have scooped more gummy chicken feet into my bag."