A new business in Poplarville can take children and adults alike back to a time when life was a little bit sweeter.

Mia’s Sweet Box offers all of the candies adults will remember asking their parents for, including wax lips, rock candy sticks, Bit-O-Honey, Pop Rocks, root beer barrels, Pixy Stix, and of course Whistle Pops. Owner and operator Danielle Sones has experience in senior management for a home health agency, but decided to open the new store in Poplarville to take a break.

The idea and name sake of the store came from her daughter, who fell ill recently. During her stay in the hospital, not much made her smile, until Sones gave her daughter her one request, a package of Skittles.

“That smile made me want to bring smiles to others in this area,” Sones said.

Mia’s Sweet Box has been open since Oct. 2, and in that first month business has been good.

Patrons of the business who grew up during the days of candy stores gone by will be taken down memory lane as they shop for their favorite treat while 50s music plays in the background. They will also recall a time when customers could buy a mixed bag of candy by selecting their favorites from several jars. Mia’s Sweet Box offers that mixed bag experience today.

“I think it’s a vintage store that people from all over can enjoy,” Sones said.

The business also offers an event room, that can accommodate birthdays or any other event with candy experiments, candy making classes or candy art parties.

There are a number of unique products available at Mia’s Sweet Box not found anywhere else in Pearl River County, which is what makes her store stand out, Sones said.

She also sells locally made fudge, and products made by Mississippi companies, such as Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory and Yazoo Toffee Company.

Sones said she can ship gift boxes across the country for anyone looking for the perfect gift, such as a 50th birthday. She can also create a themed or color specific gift basket. Online shopping is also available at https://miassweetbox.com/

The business is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is available on the weekends for special events.

In the future,  Sones hopes to add some sort of ice cream product to her store.

The business is located at 414 South Main St., Poplarville and can be reached at 601-746-5258.