Best of 2001: Best All Day Suckers

Sanford Cousin's Old Town Candy Shop
2711 San Diego Avenue, Old Town
619-297-2000, 877-CANDY77

Old-fashioned rock candy sticks are plentiful in flavors such as traditional pure cane as well as blue raspberry, watermelon, cotton candy, cherry, blueberry, French vanilla, mocha java, mocha raspberry, Irish cream, and hazelnut. For $12, the Cousin's Dozen variety pack actually comes with a "baker's dozen" count of 13 selections, as well as a bonus 14th candy treat. "You're not superstitious, we're not superstitious, but who knows," reads a company sales flyer. "The UPS driver might be, and we don't want any problems with the delivery." Customize your own Hard Candy Strong Box by choosing 20 pieces from a selection of up to 120 flavors at a cost of $8.20 per one-pound box. Any selection of suckers can be packaged in a nostalgic tin box for an additional $8.20; a deluxe 30-inch-tall Big Bird Cage full of sweets runs $95.