The Darien Times

In time for Valentine's Day: A 'Suckerborne' in Darien

Last Updated on Friday, February 11, 2011 09:28 AM Written by Susan Shultz
Friday, February 11, 2011 08:59 AM

What's the first word that comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day?

If you said "love," you're either lucky, or a romantic. For the rest of us, that word is probably "candy."

Halloween may reign supreme in sugar intake for the little ones, but Valentine's Day seems to be for the more sophisticated candy palate.

Whether it is buying a treat for your sweetie, or some chocolate to soothe a lonely heart, adults seem to use Valentine's Day as a chance to indulge their inner child.

Darienite Megan Ferrell created her line of lollipops, Suckerborne, for adults, because she said there is already so much candy made for and marketed to children.

"Candy is such a nostalgic item for so many adults, there are so many great memories of candy in childhood. I wanted to create the best quality product that adults can enjoy," Ferrell said.

With flavors such as champagne, brown sugar, maple & bacon, sambuca, amaretto, and lemon vodka meanytini, it is obvious these lollipops aren't your kids' average goody bag fare.

Ferrell said she spent much of her childhood in the kitchen with her mother, who she described as an "excellent cook."

Though she's always been cooking, Suckerborne is Ferrell's first commercial venture.

Ferrell, who moved to Darien in 1980, worked for years as a creative director in New York City before slowly phasing in her lollipop business full-time over the last year.

"I was burned out. I needed to do something else," she said.

Ferrell began developing recipes that she tested out on friends, to make sure the product met her high standards before she sold it.

Ferrell said designing her lollipops' Web site, doing photographs, marketing and packaging helped combine her previous career and skill set with her lollipop business.

In addition to creating a candy specifically for adults, Ferrell's second goal was to create a completely handmade product.

"I wanted to sell something really high quality. I use only real flavors to create an all-natural product," she said.

That includes real champagne and Sambuca. But don't worry, you can enjoy a couple of these "pops" without feeling tipsy — the alcohol cooks out during the process.

For Valentine's Day, Ferrell is offering three different suckers.

"I have a large-size sucker with a large conversation heart in the center with Bavarian cream, a small heart with a small conversation heart and a red-hot cinnamon flavor with little hearts inside it," she said.

Ferrell has teamed up with the Painted Cookie in Wilton to create Valentine's Day gift baskets that includes lollipops and decorated cookies.

"We did really well at Christmas time. We team up from time to time for holidays," she said.

Ferrell is also participating in a charity event on Thursday night at the Hilton Stamford Hotel to benefit the Shelter for the Homeless in Stamford.

The event, a Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lover's Evening, includes tastings by over 75 local wine, beverage, candy and other dessert vendors. There will also be a Valentine's Day gift boutique.

Though Suckerborne lollipops are sold in stores nationwide, currently, the only place to find them locally is Silvermine Market in New Canaan.

Orders can be placed online at Suckerborne.com or at 203-202-7317.

Ferrell said she will try to accommodate calls for local orders for Valentine's Day.

"Customer service is important to me. Too many small businesses don't prioritize it," she said.

The Silvermine Market is at 1032 Silvermine Road, New Canaan, 203-966-4050.

Tickets for Thursday's event can be bought at shelterforhomeless.org or 203-406-9619.

sshultz@darientimes.com

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