Sweet surprises await at new Byron Bay lolly shop

FROM the world’s hottest gummy bears to Snickers-flavoured milk, a new lolly shop offering a range of novelty treats has opened in Byron Bay.

Owner Oliver Strong decided to open the store after introducing a confectionery range at his other retail outlet, Beachside Bargains Ballina, and seeing how popular it was.

“I have always wanted a business in Byron because I live in Byron,” he said. “I thought of Ollie’s Lollies Candy Bar one day when I was in the shower and couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

The Fletcher Street store stocks more than 300 different types of sweet treats, including a large pick ‘n’ mix section, as well as popcorn, pancakes and chocolate.

Strong is also planning to add a slushy machine and fairy floss to the shop’s offerings.

So far, the most popular pick ‘n’ mix item has been the sour strap lollies — long, flat, chewy strips coated in a tart sugar. Other customer favourites include sour worms, Dubai chocolate and Japanese aluminium Coca-Cola bottles.

It also has a selection of novelty products like the world’s hottest gummy bear, which is infused with chilli extract, and Warheads-flavoured sodas.

“I’m trying to go for stuff that nobody has ever seen before or heard of before,” Strong said.

Ironically, Strong doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth himself, but he does have a favourite – choc beans.

“They’re a bit like M&Ms,” he said.