Sugar Cube

Name: Alyssa Theodore
Business Name: The Sugar Cube
Address: 210 N. Lee St., Alexandria, VA, 22314
Phone: 703.548.2868
Website: http://www.sugarcubesweets.com/

What makes you original and unique?

TheSugar Cube is a true family business: sister owned and operated by a pair of locals. We've built a large selection of classic candies AND a boutique collection of great finds from candy makers and chocolatiers across the country. We enthusiastically scout confections from independent producers who are passionate about taste and quality ingredients because we believe that candy and chocolate can be as gourmet an experience as coffee, cheese, or any other type of food.

Who or what inspired you to come to Alexandria?

Whendeciding where to locate our business, Alyssa persuaded Kim to join herhere. Alexandria offers big-city amenities with a small-town vibe. Beautiful, walkable and filled with unique shops, restaurants, markets, and green spaces, it's a great place to live and work.

What is your secret to success?

Beingas hands-on as we are at the shop, we bring flexibility, creativity, and knowledge to the table. We're educated about our products. What we don't know, we'll find out for you. We've created an atmosphere of scents and sights that is a pleasure to experience. We're receptive to product requests and we're constantly in touch with our customers to taste and promote great confections. We're constantly challenging our creativity to bring the customer a more unique, and delicious product that they can enjoy or, more importantly, be proud to share with others.

What is your proudest achievement?

Watching a child run into the store in a frenzy of excitement and hearing her declare, "This is what heaven must be like!"

Do you have a favorite Alexandria travel tip...you are willing to share?

Didyou know that out of town visitors can request a free visitor parking pass? Go to the Ramsey House Visitors Center at 221 King St. and get a 24-hour pass that can be used for any metered space.

Best date idea in Alexandria?

We'vealways felt that the best dates involve trying something new together. Or you can two-step out of it by going to Nick's Night Club (South Pickett St.) and taking advantage of their dance lessons. If you're a gourmand, try making your own wine at Carafe (South Alfred St.).   

Favorite places to go for brunch, happy hour, dinner under the stars, lunch deals, and places to take your dog?

HappyHour: Vermillion (King St.) has a comfortable lounge area, delicious cocktails, and a well-priced happy hour bar menu that is a great way to experience their excellent cooking.

Places to take your dog: Go for a stroll and follow it up with a treat from Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery & Boutique (Mt. Vernon Ave.).  (Dogs AND humans can reward themselves for good behavior up the street at The Dairy Godmotherwith a frozen custard or "puppy pop.")

If you had friends visiting Alexandria what would you tell them to do and see during their visit?

EnjoyAlexandria's quirky side using a less-traditional form of transportation. Start out by renting bikes from Wheel Nuts (Montogomery St.) or Big Wheel Bikes (Prince St.). Then take a tour of some of our favorite Alexandria "oddities": the city's skinniest house (Queen St.); the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum and its collection of antique cure-alls; the automated toy Shriner  parade (and other mysterious Masonic artifacts and exhibits) and animatronic George Washington at theMasonic Temple. Finish up with a lamplit Ghost & Graveyard Tour. Grab snacks to keep you going at places like Lavender Moon Cupcakery (South Royal St.), Pops Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co. (King St.) (Or The Sugar Cube, but is that too obvious? J)