BEVERLY — Sweet Freaks in Beverly has a few alternatives to the fun-size Snickers candy bars so commonly passed out to trick-or-treaters.
The chocolate shop at 9915 S. Walden Parkway has brought back a special deal for Halloween this year - a giant bag of candy for $18. It contains:
• Two pounds of Goetze's Candy Co.'s Carmel Creams, more commonly known as bullseyes
• Two pounds of Smarties
• 200 Pixy Stix
Those interested in the deal must pre-pay for their candy bags by Monday. The orders can then be picked up Thursday-Saturday. Some 20 bags have already been ordered.
The bags contain a minimum of 480 pieces of candy, and all the goodies are peanut-free and made in America, said Deanna Janicki, the store manager.
"It really took off last year," Janicki said. "Even on the dime (candy) bar, those are the three most popular items."
Here are a few other items available at the store:
Papa Bears: These giant gummy bears are available for $4.50 at Sweet Freaks. Six of the big gummies come in a container. The jumbo bears are made by the Albanese Confectionery Group in Merrillville, Ind.
Chocolate Fingers: A pair of these fingers will cost you $3. The chocolate shop uses Chicago-based Blommer Chocolate Co. for all of its creations, Janicki said.
Halloween Bark: Special for the autumn months is this white chocolate bark. It's infused with vanilla, candy corn and honey-roasted peanuts. This sweet treat costs $3 for a small bag that is perfect for someone with the sweetest of sweet tooths.
Cherry Bites: There are the top seller at Sweet Freaks. This 10-piece bag of cherry licorice dipped in dark chocolate costs $3. Janicki said the bites were modeled after a deconstructed chocolate-covered cherry.
They are also said to go well with red wine.
Jumbo Marshmallows: Owners Patrick and Katie Murphy decorate these giant marshmallows with Halloween themes. The $2 treats are among the many sweets made daily by the pair Janicki referred to as "Umpa Lumpas."
Candy Cigarettes: This throw-back remains quite popular at Sweet Freaks in Beverly. A pack of these smokes cost $2 each and come in candy or bubble gum flavors.
"I remember last year, there were a couple of kids going to a '50s-themed party. So they had them rolled up in their sleeves," Janicki said.
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