A blast from the past for candy fans

CRESTVIEW — Victor Fleischer, and his wife, Rebecca, had a vision of opening their own candy shop after watching an episode of “Undercover Boss.”

That vision manifested in the form of a throwback-style candy shop and national franchise called “Rocket Fizz” located on the north end of Crestview.

Victor spent 25 years in the military beginning in the Navy and transferring to the Air Force where he retired. However, he continued with the military as a contractor working on Eglin Air Force Base. Throughout his military career, Victor said he always wanted to open his own business.

“My wife saw this one on ‘Undercover Boss’ so she goes, ‘That’s what I want’,” Victor said. “And, here we are.”

Victor and Rebecca enjoyed many things about the franchise, but took particular interest in the founder, Robert Powells.

“It’s just his personality,” Victor said.

Although the store is part of a franchise, there’s an instant mom-and-pop feel upon entering the candy shop.

Many popular items like Pop Rocks, a large variety of salt water taffy, rare sodas like the original "Harry Potter" inspired Butterscotch Beer, and foreign sodas line the walls and fill the store.

The nostalgic candy wonderland doesn’t end at candy and soda.

The walls are decorated with vintage, 50s-inspired metal signs like one featuring a woman sipping tea with words reading, “Make yourself at home. Clean my kitchen.”

Victor said it took about a year to open the business, three months to contract with Rocket Fizz and about nine months to work with the city of Crestview.

Crestview residents since the late 80s as well as parents, Victor and Rebecca felt there was a lack of entertainment for children in the city.

“[Children] come in here and their eyes just widen, mouths drop, and they just run around here for an hour,” Victor said.

The candy choices are numerous, but Victor said he is willing to order and track down requests from customers.

Rocket Fizz is located at 1375 N Ferdon Blvd.