The Candyman can

>> Local sweet-tooth makes the world taste good

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Stéphane Lepage

Age: 31

Occupation: Candyman, proprietor of Bonbon Dingo in Place du Parc.

Bio: This bubbly Shaughnessy Village resident worked as a government bureaucrat for 10 years before giving it all up last year to pursue his dream of running a good old-fashioned candy store. Claiming to have been "passionate about candy" for as long as he can remember, Stéphane can and will talk about Flying Saucers, Black Balls, Pop Rocks and Popeye cigarettes long after most sane people have lost interest. Specializing in the sickeningly sweet stuff that you can't seem to find anymore, he says his store is a labour of love and spends much of his time on the road hunting down hard-to- find candy in the United States.

Why he feels the vintage old-style candy tastes better than the stuff they market today: Sugar. "And the packaging was so much more attractive. The stuff I sell is so colourful. Today they try to market candy like it's healthy for you. No fat, contains real fruit juice, stuff like that. The old stuff has somehow managed to become politically incorrect. But everything is okay in moderation. Besides, our bodies need sugar to be healthy."

Does he feel the trend toward "healthy candy" is a reflection of the sad state of our culture? Yes.

Does he ever feel like breaking out into Sammy Davis Jr. hits when new customers come into his shop asking what he is about? No.

Who some of his best customers are:

1) Nostalgia-crazed office workers in their 30s and 40s looking to re-experience their childhood by sucking on a Blowpop or biting off the tip of a liquid-filled wax stick.

2) Twenty-something pot smokers. "They buy a lot of candy. It's great."

How often customers come in to his store and want to talk his ear off about their childhood and how important a role Koo Koo Taffy played: Every day.

Does he ever feel like telling them to just shut up and buy something and save their boring old memories for their psychiatrists? Never. "Oh my God no. I find it all very exciting. It brings me great joy to see the happy memories my merchandise brings people."

Do many middle-aged customers come in and, in an effort to relive their childhood, steal his merchandise? Stéphane doesn't think so.

His childhood ambition: To become an actor, or the boss of his own candy store.

Something else he does: Acting. Stéphane is a card-carrying member of ACTRA and gets the occasional small role in locally produced films. He's still waiting for the big plum role that will make him a household name.

Another thing he does: Creates crossword puzzles and Wonderwords for several Quebec publications.

Last book read: Une Vie de chat, by Yves Navarre.

Musical tastes: Dido, Soft Cell, Bronski Beat, '80s stuff.

One place he likes to hang out: Jello Bar.

Favourite recent film: Traffic.

Personal words of wisdom: "Do whatever it is you have to do to be happy. It is you who controls your fate."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca