Audrey Jackson opened Oh Sweet Sugar in downtown Lakeport a year ago, just before Easter and a rush for sweets perhaps second only to Halloween. Now she is looking for a location with a small kitchen, so she can add homemade cakes and pies to the counter. Before going into the candy shop business, Jackson managed the Tower Mart in Lakeport for 12 years. She grew up in the Bay Area and worked in restaurants and bakeries. But she grew fond of Lake County from many family vacations. Oh — she still has Peeps, but is out of chocolate bunnies.
1. Why Peeps?
Some of us — like me — really like them. I don’t like marshmallows, I don’t like s’mores, but I like Peeps. They’re just different.
2. I assume you have to really stock up.
That whole shelf would be full of Peeps — 48 boxes of different colors — and bunnies in different sizes, 12 of each.
3. Do people order that differently around Easter?
Ones making their own baskets do. They look for specific things.
4. Why do people bite the ears off chocolate bunnies?
Because it’s the first thing we see — and it’s fun. That’s coming from my childlike side. I do that to Peeps, too.
5. So it’s not a sign of potential depravity?
No, it’s just the inner child.
6. Besides Peeps, what’s your favorite for Easter?
Those eggs — a specialty chocolate egg with maple nut or coconut creme filling. They’re awesome. They come in a pretty little box. Now, my favorites as a kid were Peeps, jelly beans and those little speckled eggs.
7. Why run a candy shop?
It’s fun. And we didn’t have one.
8. Is it tough to compete against convenience stores?
No, because I don’t carry what they do. I look for things other than they carry — fudge, truffles.
9. How difficult is it not to eat your profits?
It have my favorites and it’s very hard. My favorite is marzipan. My son used to send me boxes for my birthday, but when I got the shop he said ‘Mom, I can’t send you any more because you have them in the store.’ I said ‘Yes, you can. I don’t want to eat my profits.’
10. A world without candy …
Would not be as sweet.
