Thanks, Mayor D.!

I gotta hand it to Mayor Daley for keeping Wal-Marts from opening up shop in Chicago. What would I do without Candy’s, the little Mexican bodega next door? They have all the ingredients I need for enchiladas, PLUS a fax machine. In fact, I do all of my business  and plenty of grocery shopping at Candy’s. Need olives? They’ve got those too… The can I bought last week expired in 2007, but they still tasted fine!

The two dudes that work at Candy’s are pretty awesome. For the most part, there’s one dude at a time,  however, I walked in one Saturday morning to find them both dancing and singing to Billy Idol while unloading a shipment of Gatorade or some sports drink of similar electrolyte content.

If you like Flamin’ Hots, you’re in luck! Go early in the morning though, once the kids are out of school, they flood into Candy’s and, no joke, I’ve witnessed riots when the Flamin’ Hot levels are low.

I’ve been visiting Candy’s on a regular basis for the past two years and the only thing that’s really changed is their recent addition of a bouncer! He’s pretty cool. I’m not totally certain that he gets paid for this job, or that it even IS a job (I think he really just likes hanging out there), but he’ll hold the door for you AND watch your dog for you while you shop.

Candy’s takes credit cards if your total is over $10 and they have an ATM in back which is handy.

—Jamie Sebold

Do YOU have a favorite independent store? Tell us about it here!