Toys, ice cream, candy; Smooshies has it all

Smooshie's the candy and toy store (and nitrogen ice cream store) has opened at 3413 Main Highway. This is Yoli Elias, manager, at left; and Jeanine Smith, pastry chef.

Smooshie's is a fun place with lots of fun things. You'll see old-time candy that you'll remember from your childhood and you can buy candy by the pound.

There is coffee and pastries and soon they will open a restaurant on their second floor (I'm told in a month possibly).

"My mother worked day and night in a candy factory in Cuba before becoming a political prisoner, and since we had no money, she could never buy me presents, she would mold candy into little dolls and flowers to give me. I could never eat them because they were my toys. It's how I played," says owner Gigi Alibahai. Now Gigi owns her own candy and toy store.

They offer frozen yogurt, regular ice cream and vegan ice cream. You choose that as your base and then choose the flavors (orange sherbet, chocolate, strawberry, cookie dough, nutella and so many more) and then toppings like chocolate chips, brownie bites, pineapple, snickers and lots more of these too.

They are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm; Friday from 8 am to 10 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.