Questions on a Kaleidoscope of Candy
by Chaiel Schaffel
Walking into the Good Ship Lollipop on Circuit Avenue of Oak Bluffs is a sensory delight. Before getting a good view of one’s surroundings, the scent of vanilla extract and childhood nostalgia delights the nose. Then, a virtual kaleidoscope of candy opens into view, spilling over the shelves in every direction and cascading color and light all over the homey storefront. This Week interviewed Marguerite Cook, owner of the Good Ship Lollipop. Here’s what she said:
What made you want to get into the candy business?
I used to work at the county tax office, and we always had candy on the counter. When I retired after 23 years, people I would see in the street, and they would always say, “there’s no candy for us any more!” And I’d say, “I’ll open up a candy store-but you’ll have to pay me for it!” When we were dismantling my family house after my mother passed away, my sister found a picture of my mother in her coveralls, holding a doll and a big swirly lollipop! And that’s when I decided it was meant to be. That was in 2005, and I moved to this storefront in 2006. This used to be a candy store called “Hilliards Kitchen-View Candies.” Mr. Stacey, who owned the old business came to me and asked me if I would move my candy store to the old Hilliard building. If I would, he said, he would loan me his daughter Brenda to teach me, and and loan me his tempering kettles for chocolate, until I could get my own.
If you had to choose one, and only one item from your store, what would you eat?
I would eat…well, it’s a toss-up between the milk chocolate pistachios and the almond turtle with sea salt.
What inspired your store’s name?
I live on an island, they were decommissioning the steamship Islander when I started, and I was a big fan of Shirley Temple. One of her songs was, “The Good Ship Lollipop,” and that’s where the name came from.
Can any of your customers see over the counter?
I have trouble seeing over the counter! The children seem to stretch their necks and see-and if they can’t, there always seems to be a teenager or adult to help them. They like seeing the candy-we carry dark, milk, and white chocolate here, along with large selection of sugar free, vegan & gluten free chocolates and candy.
Are you friendly with the local dentist?
Very! I’ve brought him a box of chocolates before!
The Good Ship Lollipop candy story can be found on 61 Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs.
