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Choose the Sweet Life in Charleston - Southern Living, December 2003
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3/15/2007
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Busy Market Street in Charleston appeals to all your senses. But the two that you'll appreciate most-smell and taste-find their richest reward at Market Street Sweets.
Your nose clues you in to the candy shop's cozy location long before you see it. Mmm, what is that sweet, rich smell, you wonder? When you find this small store on Market Street, you locate the heavenly source: a simmering pot of caramel-colored liquid. You wonder how one little batch can send out such a powerful aroma.
You stand there spellbound as a smiling woman tilts the metal container over a bit, then uses an ice-cream scoop to ladle out dollops onto a marble slab behind the counter. "We're making pralines," says manager Kim Whitley. "I pour them out and let them cool for a few minutes, then put them over in the case-if they make it that far." Yes, they give out free samples.
"A pot will make about 100 pieces," she adds. "I've never counted how many we make in a day, but we have that pot going from 8 in the morning until 10 at night. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to make a batch."
Quite basic ingredients go in: half-and-half, butter, sugar, and Georgia pecan halves. But what comes out-a delectable, crispycrunchy confection-somehow exceeds the sum of these parts. Some say it's those Georgia pecans. Others think Kim's smile may have something to do with it.
They don't stop at pralines either ($14.95 a pound). White chocolate and dark chocolate bear claws paw for attention. Gift boxes filled with other treats also cover the shelves. But their Deluxe Southern Sweets Tower takes the cake. A 6-pound stack of eight metal-foil boxes in descending sizes contains bear claws, mini pecan pies, divinity, roasted nuts, chocolate-covered pecans, and pralines. Priced at $125.95, it isn't cheap; you might opt for the smaller tower ($69.95), without the divinity and roasted nuts. Or you could just smile back at Kim and hope for some more free samples.
Market Street Sweets: 100 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401; (843) 722-1397. To place an order: Call 1-800-793-3876, or visit www.riverstreetsweets.com.
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