Living Small in a Big World. "Honey the Black Death is Here!"
“HONEY, THE BLACK DEATH IS HERE!”
“Do they still make Reggie Bars?”
“Can you find those strawberry-filled Church Lady candies?”
“I had this amazing chocolate bar in Ireland—here’s a picture. Can you get it?”
“Do they still make Sixlets?”
“I saw this on TikTok and I have to try it!!”
Treasure hunter. Sweet trafficker. Sleuth of sugar. Call me what you will—we may be a small shop, but we are mighty… mighty persistent.
The very first week Merrill Mischief opened, I set up a little wipe-off board at the counter and invited customers to share their candy requests. The requests come in fast and often, and I love the challenge of tracking them down.
Most candy hunts fall into three categories:
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A childhood favorite.
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An internet sensation.
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Or my personal favorite: “I don’t remember the name, but it kind of tasted like…”
When a request comes in, I slip into full-on Indiana Jones mode. Step one: identify the treasure. Step two: research the last known sighting. Step three: negotiate the handoff—though in my case, it’s usually with my ever-reliable partners, UPS and USPS.
So far, I’d put my success rate at about 95%. My finds don’t end up in museums or fund my retirement, but they do bring joy. Whether it’s Dubai chocolate, Swedish Bubs gummies, or that mystery candy described as tasting somewhere between black licorice, root beer, and a handful of dirt—each discovery brings smiles and wonder to our little shop in Morganton, NC.
And then there’s Black Death. For the record, it’s an ultra-sour, lemon-flavored hard candy made by the British company Mr. Simms Sweet Shop. It’s famous (or infamous) for its searingly acidic coating—many claim it’s the most sour candy in the world. With its warnings on the label, viral TikTok fame, and daredevil reputation, it more than earns a spot on my “Indy-worthy” list of treasures.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to check the suggestion board for my next sweet adventure.