London: Tea Time in Wonderland

One of my first memories of England is stepping in a Woolworths and watching, fascinated, grannies chosing sweets, one by one from a pick and mix range. Depending on the time of the day, they would be replaced by kids just out of school or teenagers going to the movies…

Supermarkets have since exploited the idea. Even M&S have theirs now. Pleasure multiplied by the variety of tastes and the possibility of trying a new variety or event just take the pink ones only because you like them better… Mr Humbug also seems to extend, there’s even one @ Waterloo station: rowas of jars filled with classic sweets. Touristic villages also tend to play this nostalgic note to attract visitors of the day.

However, it all misses, I don’t know, a touch of magic. The jars usually are plastic, cheap, remind me of a supermarket range. Buying them under a colod electric light tends to erase the charm too.

Strolling through the flower stalls on Columbia rd, I stepped into Suck and Chew. How different! A rainbow of colours and a retro atmosphere too… Glass jars of all sizes, cormonation mugs filled with lollipops, Ladybid books from the 70ies, labels as if typed on a writig machines, forgotten flavours, truffles, British flags planted amonst them, the kindness of the staff… Although you do have a £10 notes, you’re looking for coins in your pocket. You’re going to have two liquorice ones, and, er, three rhubarb and custards, and one kola cube and… Your mouth is watering already.

Sparkling with sweet happiness!

Suck and chew
130 Columbia Rd
London E2 7RG

Open Saturdays 13.00-16.30 and Sundays 09.00-16.30

Fancy a little more sugar and childhood nostalgia? Try Hope and Greenwood @ Covent Garden…

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