Audio Postcard: Mr. D's Sweet Shoppe

NATURAL SOUND: [Walking into store]

NARRATION: The October air on this Friday afternoon in Wallingford CT is not too cold but cold enough to need a jacket. The gray sky is much too gloomy for a Friday and warrants a sweet afternoon snack. I give you-- Mr. D’s

NATURAL SOUND: [Refrigerator buzz]

NARRATION: Mr. D’s, which opened in 2010, gives all the vintage charm of an old fashioned sweet shoppe-- two big walls full of pebble-like candies just waiting to be scooped into a paper bag and enjoyed by some eager elementary schooler. Colorful checkered floors. Cases of chocolates, cupcakes, and other baked treats are arranged in columns by unique flavor. Kids gizmos of all sorts are stashed in the back of the store for hyper children to beg for. The fluorescent lights of the larger refrigerator buzz so loud it can’t help but direct patrons’ attention to the sugary pies within-- Cookies and cream, mint chocolate, peanut butter blast. It’s just a strobe light away from sensory overload, but somehow happy and comforting. Amidst all this, a milkshake is being whizzed into existence.

NATURAL SOUND: [Store noise, blender]

NARRATION: There are a few college-aged girls doing various jobs behind the counter, dressed in white polos, green Mr. D’s aprons and purple Mr. D’s visors. They’re the embodiment of the coordinating green and purple-checkered floors. One girl with straight dark hair in a ponytail and black rectangular glasses seems to be the primary cashier at the moment. She doesn’t say anything but asks with her facial expression if I’m ready to order. I decide to inquire about the pumpkin bars that have caught my eye.

MR. D’S EMPLOYEE: Uh, the pumpkin-- the pumpkin bars, it’s a layer of vanilla cake and then, you know, like pumpkin pie filling.

VICTORIA: Oh ok! And is that apple crisp?

EMPLOYEE: Yup!

VICTORIA: So much to choose from!

NARRATION: I can’t decide what to get. In an effort to remain in the fall spirit, I consider the pumpkin bars, a carrot cake cupcake, and that apple crisp staring at me on the top shelf of the far case. My eyes dart back and forth. I’m glad the man in front of me is taking his time. Finally, I land on Option #1.

VICTORIA: Can I have three of your pumpkin bars, please?

NARRATION: I pay, and sit down to eat at a metal cafe table by one of two bay windows on either side of the front entrance door. Two high school girls sit giggling with their own treats by the opposite bay window, and country music barely makes its presence known over the sound system.

NATURAL SOUND: [Background country music]

NARRATION: I finish my rich, but delicious pumpkin bar, and return to the counter to talk with the girl that served me before. I ask if she does any of the treat-making.

EMPLOYEE: I do the decorating of the cupcakes and you, know little odd jobs.

VICTORIA: Did you learn that when you came here? Or did you do that before?

EMPLOYEE: I learned it when I came here, and like-- perfected it.

VICTORIA: That’s so cool! So that’s a special talent you have now?

EMPLOYEE: Yeah!

VICTORIA: That’s awesome! Do you think candy shops and bakeries like this are kind of a lost art?

EMPLOYEE: I do. It definitely is like more personal. You get like, yeah, the family aspect of it. I do think there’s others like it, but there’s none that’s like Mr. D’s.

MUSIC: [Whistling, fade-in low]

NARRATION: This little trip hit the autumn sweet spot, brightening my Friday afternoon.

MUSIC: [Whistling fade-in high, fade-out]

(All rights for "When It Rains It Pours" by Luke Combs to Luke Combs, its musicians, writers, producers, and editors, and River House Artists LLC & Columbia Nashville.)

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