We're told not to smoke, snort, shoot, inhale, pill-pop or drink to excess in search of a pleasurable escape from life's aches and worries. Fine, but they're not taking away our candy! Sugar treats are a perfectly reasonable and defensible indulgence — nay, necessity! — in this demanding life, and Jack's Wholesale Candy & Toy Company will hook you up but good! The quantities are massive, the selection is huge and the prices are awesome. How about 10 pounds of Jordan Almonds for $16? How about gumdrops, candy cane sticks, saltwater taffy, gourmet jelly beans, M&Ms, sour straws, lemon drops, peach rings, marshmallow puffs, Pop Rocks, gummy everything, tiny Reese's Pieces, swirl pops and giant gumballs? There's also an impressive selection of authentic Mexican candies, perfect for filling your piñata, and chips and sodas, also at warehouse prices. The staff is helpful and friendly (they're eating candy all day — why would they be grumpy?). The place has its own parking lot, so you might as well drive over — and fill your entire trunk. 1244 E. Eighth St., dwntwn. (213) 622-9287, jackscandyandtoy.com.

—Adam Gropman

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