Penny Candy Store in Live Oak Dispenses Sweet Dose of Nostalgia
Store faces major changes after COVID-19 death of co-owner
STORY AND PHOTOS BY Steve Martarano
Palmira Nava and her late husband , Reyes , purchased the Penny Candy Store in Live Oak in 2003 .
The colorful candy-striped building located along Highway 99 in the heart of Live Oak has been a locally-owned and treasured destination for sweet tooth aficionados since the mid-1980s .
It ’ s the Penny Candy Store , but two cents is now the cost of the cheapest item in this confection wonderland .
The little shop is stocked with countless kinds of popular and hard-to-find candies , drawing in locals and traveling visitors alike . The store features a walkup window for customers choosing between 38 flavors of shaved ice , called Hawaiian Snow , while other unique gift items for sale are inside , making for an unforgettable visit at any age .
“ I love the Laffy Taffy ; that ’ s what I ’ m going for right now ,” says Antioch resident Christine Farley , candy bucket in hand , during a midday visit in May . Farley and friend Mike Lee say they ’ ve been stopping in for years every time they visit friends nearby .
Tragic circumstances , however , came last year to the only dedicated candy
32 comstocksmag . com | July 2022