I’ve walked passed the Papa Bubble storefront on Manhattan’s Lower East Side several times, each time being after hours. So, when I walked past yesterday afternoon to find the shop open I was really excited. And even more so, when I realized they were also making candy that afternoon!

The shop is a tiny storefront that sells handmade hard candy in the form of drops, lollipops and even fancy candy rings! The colors are dazzling and the flavors—like mango and passion fruit—are delicious.

After speaking to the owner briefly, I learned that the company was developed in Barcelona amongst a few friends with art backgrounds and an interest in making candy. The company now has additional stores in Tokyo, Amsterdam, New York City and soon to be in Seoul, each opened by more friends. What a great example of entrepreneurialism at its best.

I decided to forego the purchase of a giant lollipop and instead left with a bag of “I Heart (as in the symbol) NY Mix” candies. Each little cylinder has a different flavor and is decorated with the name of each of the five New York City boroughs—my favorite being Brooklyn, of course.

Filed Under: FUN Kid Food Talk!, Cool Stuff