You can't buy happiness, but you CAN buy candy

It seems only fitting that the biggest sign in Rehoboth Beach towers over a candy store. In fact, the Dolle's logo on the Boardwalk is as much a symbol of Rehoboth as the World War II observation towers, the Bandstand and hungry parking meters.

Ancient taffy-making machines at Dolle's still crank out the tubular treats that share the counter with that singed sugar aroma of caramel corn. Foodie picks in the taffy dept.: Take a bite of a chocolate-flavored and an orange-flavored taffy at the same time. Trust me on this. Next door, Ibach's celebrates vacations with all sorts of handmade goodies. Speaking of caramel corn, whose is better: Dolle's or Fisher's? (By the way, both had their start in Ocean City.) Yes, I know which is better, but I have to live here....  

It's hard to forget Candy Kitchen, mainly because there's one pretty much everywhere you look. I can't pass up the colorful fruit slice jellies and the King Tut fudge. By the way, fudge freezes just fine. Ask me how I know. Michigan-based franchisor Kilwins has been making people smile since 1947, and they have what I believe to be the best caramel in town. The dinner plate-size pecan and cashew turtles with dark chocolate and caramel are not to be missed. Or take home a marshmallow on a stick, cloaked in caramel and rolled in chopped pecans. And don't miss the toasted coconut or the salted caramel ice cream. Oops... and the peanut brittle. Govern yourself accordingly.  

Snyder's Candy (honored last year by Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine and Food Network Magazine) sells those delightful multicolored licorice pastilles. Think of Good & Plentys, but way smaller so you can fit more into your mouth. They also specialize in a wide variety of imported licorice. Both Snyder's and Gidget's Gadgets keep some of the old favorites in stock, like Black Jack and Teaberry gum, Sky Bars, Necco Wafers, Smarties, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Mary Janes.  

The sugar wars continue this year with Kaisy's Delights and Avenue 67 - directly across the street from one another. The Langer family at Kaisy's puts out a sweet pancake that you can top with tasty jellies. John Parana's Avenue 67 (formerly Nonna's Sweet Treats) is the downtown source for tasty Italian pastries and – if you're lucky – crispy pizzelles with just a hint of anisette. Try both places. Don't jaywalk.  

Double Dippers on N. First Street is virtually surrounded by restaurants, and is the acknowledged late-night home for Hershey's cones and sundaes. Back on the Avenue we have the old standby, Coldstone Creamery. Run, do not walk, to their pink champagne sorbet. Across the street in First Street Station is the new kid in town: Michael Goldberg's Sweet Charlie's. This Philly-based operation puts a new twist on ice cream. They mix in your favorite crunchies, freeze it flat on a cold griddle, and then roll it up into appetizing little cylinders. If you're nice, they might even write your name in caramel drizzle before they start rollin'. You can even get one studded with doughnuts.  

If we are going to talk ice cream, then we can't forget the dual Kohr Bros. soft-serve spots on Rehoboth Avenue, Chip Hearn's The Ice Cream Store by the Boardwalk (strange names for great flavors), and Royal Treat on Wilmington Avenue. This popular breakfast place morphs into an ice cream parlor just about when you are number 16 in line for breakfast. Simply adjust your thinking and get a hot fudge sundae. People eat chocolate things for breakfast all the time.

Even in this business of eating, there's got to be dessert. So get a little sugar in downtown Rehoboth Beach. And remember: Everything in moderation – including moderation.