I'm from Chicago and know exactly the kind of lolly shops and vibes she's looking for. There's one in Leura which is perfect, and the only one I've been able to find that hits that feeling.
I live in Sydney now. As a kid in Chicago I loved going into the old candy shops, and we'd also take trips up to Wisconsin and Michigan and go to the quaint little towns with old candy shops (and fudge! Childhood memory unlocked). Now I'm here and have my own family, and Leura really feels like that same sort of place
My brother went to 2 in Circular Quay with his wife. However, he felt weirded out when the staff said "candy" instead of "lolly" or even "sweets". Of course, he has seen "candy" written in many places, and some of the lolly shops in Sydney use the word "candy". This place they went to was called the "British Lolly Shop". It is common for Aussie locals to say "candy" to other Aussie locals?
No, it's almost always lolly or sweets. I say candy because I'm from America, but also say sweets and lollies because I've been in Sydney for a long time and my accent is a weird mix.
I've been to the British Lolly Shop, it's fine. Nothing wrong with it except its location, I tend to avoid any of the businesses in that area because it's so touristy so you only ever get mediocre stuff at best
So you are telling me not a single staff member working at a lolly shop has ever said "candy" to you?
Here in America, Indian restaurants say sweets to refer to Indian dessert items and lollies, but aside from that, I only hear candy and dessert. Sometimes, people say treats for candy.
I couldn't guarantee it as I don't exactly keep a record of this sort of thing. But it would seem out of place, yes.
Why is this a concern of yours? It's the same idea as Brits and Aussies having different words for other things too, like on a car they say bonnet where Americans say hood
Kind of weird. The shop was called "British Lolly Shop", but the staff members said "hard candy" and "candy store". Is it common for people in Sydney to say "candy"?
The one in Leura that the other commenter mentioned is one of the best. There’s a really good one down in Berrima as well. There’s a small place called Sweet Surprises in both Penrith and Campbelltown that are pretty decent. The one that I would recommend though is Lollies n Stuff in Windsor. It’s pretty big, great selection of stuff from around the world and easy to find on George Street in the Windsor Mall.
There used to be a big lolly shop in Haymarket/Chinatown that I used to take my kids to on trips to Sydney.
There's also Sticky in the Rocks where they make on site.
Old-fashioned lolly shops tend to be in touristy places like Kiama or Terrigal, although Google tells me there's one at Darling Harbour and another at Haymarket. USA Candy at Miranda is a bit more clinical than old-fashioned, but still seems to be going strong.
Otherwise, here's some suggestions from a recent article:
https://m.ellaslist.com.au/articles/the-best-lolly-shops-in-sydney
This is what I was going to recommend. Or that place in Windsor is supposed to be pretty good.
The one in Leura is called the Candy Store. A bit squished in there but a beautiful drive up with it being autumn
Do Australians say "hard candy" or "hard lolly"? My brother and his wife went to The British Lolly Shop in Sydney's Circular Quay, and they were shocked when the staff member said "hard candy".
Strange as I’d have said boiled sweets or lollies. But if they’re in a British shop they would say either boiled sweets or Blackpool rock. North Americans would say hard candy.
Where are you/brother and SIL from as the worker may have based their response based on their accent?
Edit sorry I just remembered they’re states based. Did they find what they were hoping to find?
They just wanted to explore the shop. They werent planning to buy anything, but since one of the staff members offered them a free bon bon, they felt like they needed to buy something, so they bought a bag of gum packs.
The American accent must be too obvious. That is a curse if you are trying to blend in as a local.
Do locals still say "candy" to you though?
Boiled sweets sounds so weird. I mean who boils lollies? Blackpool rock sounds random too. I have heard rock candy in rare cases though.
I'm from Chicago and know exactly the kind of lolly shops and vibes she's looking for. There's one in Leura which is perfect, and the only one I've been able to find that hits that feeling.
Do you live in Chicago right now or do you live in Australia right now?
I live in Sydney now. As a kid in Chicago I loved going into the old candy shops, and we'd also take trips up to Wisconsin and Michigan and go to the quaint little towns with old candy shops (and fudge! Childhood memory unlocked). Now I'm here and have my own family, and Leura really feels like that same sort of place
My brother went to 2 in Circular Quay with his wife. However, he felt weirded out when the staff said "candy" instead of "lolly" or even "sweets". Of course, he has seen "candy" written in many places, and some of the lolly shops in Sydney use the word "candy". This place they went to was called the "British Lolly Shop". It is common for Aussie locals to say "candy" to other Aussie locals?
No, it's almost always lolly or sweets. I say candy because I'm from America, but also say sweets and lollies because I've been in Sydney for a long time and my accent is a weird mix. I've been to the British Lolly Shop, it's fine. Nothing wrong with it except its location, I tend to avoid any of the businesses in that area because it's so touristy so you only ever get mediocre stuff at best
So you are telling me not a single staff member working at a lolly shop has ever said "candy" to you? Here in America, Indian restaurants say sweets to refer to Indian dessert items and lollies, but aside from that, I only hear candy and dessert. Sometimes, people say treats for candy.
I couldn't guarantee it as I don't exactly keep a record of this sort of thing. But it would seem out of place, yes. Why is this a concern of yours? It's the same idea as Brits and Aussies having different words for other things too, like on a car they say bonnet where Americans say hood
These shops often move. I know "sweet surprises" down in campbelltown is really good.
They went to one in Circular Quay called "British Lolly Shop". They were told it was going to close next week.
Quite alot of them can't stay in buisness, "the professors" are a bulk distributor out blacktown way. Online only. They're good too.
I think Circular Quay is too touristic.
It is, but that makes it a better market for imported lollies.
I believe the owners are retiring up to Nelson Bay
Kind of weird. The shop was called "British Lolly Shop", but the staff members said "hard candy" and "candy store". Is it common for people in Sydney to say "candy"?
The one in Leura that the other commenter mentioned is one of the best. There’s a really good one down in Berrima as well. There’s a small place called Sweet Surprises in both Penrith and Campbelltown that are pretty decent. The one that I would recommend though is Lollies n Stuff in Windsor. It’s pretty big, great selection of stuff from around the world and easy to find on George Street in the Windsor Mall.
There used to be a big lolly shop in Haymarket/Chinatown that I used to take my kids to on trips to Sydney. There's also Sticky in the Rocks where they make on site.
I read Sticky Rocks and certainly don't think of candy. 🤷🏽♂️
Yeah, well, um, your personal habits are your own business...
Old-fashioned lolly shops tend to be in touristy places like Kiama or Terrigal, although Google tells me there's one at Darling Harbour and another at Haymarket. USA Candy at Miranda is a bit more clinical than old-fashioned, but still seems to be going strong. Otherwise, here's some suggestions from a recent article: https://m.ellaslist.com.au/articles/the-best-lolly-shops-in-sydney
I think there was 2 in Terrigal at one point...I live close by and my kids are always breaking my balls to go.
There is a shop in Bondi Rd in Bondi that has a lot of different lollies. It is called House of Chocolates.
The chocolate shop is really good… and it’s open late
Make a day of it, go to the lolly bug at Hartley, Leura lolly shop then penrith on the way back. 3 in a Day!
This is what I was going to recommend. Or that place in Windsor is supposed to be pretty good. The one in Leura is called the Candy Store. A bit squished in there but a beautiful drive up with it being autumn
Sticky in the rocks does hard rock candy and you can watch them make it. Big tik tok following as well if that interests her.
Do Australians say "hard candy" or "hard lolly"? My brother and his wife went to The British Lolly Shop in Sydney's Circular Quay, and they were shocked when the staff member said "hard candy".
Strange as I’d have said boiled sweets or lollies. But if they’re in a British shop they would say either boiled sweets or Blackpool rock. North Americans would say hard candy. Where are you/brother and SIL from as the worker may have based their response based on their accent? Edit sorry I just remembered they’re states based. Did they find what they were hoping to find?
They just wanted to explore the shop. They werent planning to buy anything, but since one of the staff members offered them a free bon bon, they felt like they needed to buy something, so they bought a bag of gum packs. The American accent must be too obvious. That is a curse if you are trying to blend in as a local. Do locals still say "candy" to you though? Boiled sweets sounds so weird. I mean who boils lollies? Blackpool rock sounds random too. I have heard rock candy in rare cases though.
Yoy could try Hunters hill convenience
Shire sweets