A Novi sweet shop is a blast from the past – on purpose. Think of Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop as “a museum for candy and nostalgia,” says owner and dad Mark Fogarasi, who launched Michigan’s first location for the chain.
“The idea of being able to have toys, candy and fun stuff” inspired Fogarasi, formerly a contractor, to open shop last August. “And seeing kids be happy.”
Rocket Fizz offers plenty to fit that bill. That includes 500 flavors of glass-bottled soda, over 100 different types of candy from all over the world and upwards of 100 varieties of saltwater taffy. There are plenty of vintage-style novelties, too, like throwback tin signs, cardboard cutouts, old-school concert posters and gag gifts.
It all hearkens back to Fogarasi’s own childhood. He fondly recalls visiting Oak Park candy shop Pub’s with his brother.
“It was close enough for us to walk up there, and they sold ice cream and penny candy,” he says. His father did plumbing for the store and received a card that let the boys get $10 worth of candy every week (they used it only once before mom got hold of it). “Years and years later, Pub’s had a big influence,” he adds, along with bygone Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, which also had a big candy selection. “Those two kinds of candy shops are what made me want to open one.”
He’s expanding, too. This year, watch for his Ann Arbor Rocket Fizz to open – plus another in Macomb Township. A Birmingham or Royal Oak location is due in 2019, with more to come in the next several years.
This sweet opportunity isn’t lost on Fogarasi’s own sons, Eli, 8, and Joey, 10.
“They’re trying to trick me,” he laughs. “Now they want to review on a YouTube channel – to try out all the candy!”
Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop
- Address: At Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk, 44225 W. 12 Mile Road, Suite C104, Novi
- Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday
