If you’ve ever dreamed of slipping through a chocolate‑covered portal and emerging in a world where gummy bears sing and caramel rivers flow, you don’t need a golden ticket-just a quick drive to 5345 W Glendale Ave.
Nestled in the sun‑kissed streets of Glendale, Arizona, the Cerreta Candy Company looks like the hidden backstage of Willy Wonka’s factory, only with far fewer Oompa‑Loompas and far more artisanal flair.
I walked in on a Tuesday, expecting the usual hum of a grocery‑store‑candy aisle, and was instantly whisked away by the scent of fresh‑made taffy, roasted nuts, and a whisper of vanilla that seemed to say, “Welcome, dear guest, you’re about to become part of the magic.”…