No, Not Those Gummies

Only in San Francisco does asking where to find gummies require a disclaimer. But here we are — a city where the default assumption involves THC, and you have to specifically clarify that you just want candy.

Look, we love a good free market success story, and the artisan candy scene in SF is quietly one of them. Small shops, specialty importers, and local makers are carving out real businesses selling high-quality sweets — no government subsidy required.

So where should you go when the sour gummy craving hits?

For Swedish candy, the Scandinavian-style pick-and-mix trend has arrived in the Bay Area in a big way. Several local pop-ups and online shops let you build custom bags of imported Nordic sweets — think salty licorice, sour skulls, and those satisfyingly chewy Swedish fish that actually taste like something. Check out shops in the Mission and Hayes Valley that have started stocking Scandinavian imports.

For sour gummies, Giddy Candy in the Castro and Sugarfina locations around the city carry premium options that'll make your face pucker in the best way. Japantown's shops are also a goldmine for unique gummy textures and flavors you won't find anywhere else.

For the old-school approach, hit up local corner stores and bodegas — many of them carry surprisingly deep selections of imported candy at prices that won't require a second mortgage (unlike, well, everything else in this city).

Here's what's refreshing about this whole thing: entrepreneurs identifying demand, sourcing quality products, and selling them to willing customers. No permits taking nine months. No Planning Commission hearings. No neighborhood opposition. Just candy.

If only San Francisco could make opening a restaurant this simple.

Got a favorite gummy spot? The people demand answers.