Like a Kid in a Candy Store!

After the John Deere Pavilion, and before dinner, which was before our evening lecture --- Wendy told me of a place I HAD to see --- after she witnessed me getting all excited over the floor tiles at the Italian place the other night --

That Italian place was made to LOOK old, but this place was better! You see, Wendy used to work at the bank next door – and on her lunch break, she’d head over to Lagomarcino’s Confectionary, sit herself down at one of the red vinyl upholstered counter stools and order a grilled cheese and a fountain coke from the lunch counter.

Doesn’t this sound like a scene from 1955?

Well, it isn’t!

Lagomarcino’s opened its doors in 1908 and they are still going strong today!

I was captivated by the striped awning and the vintage looking neon sign ---but the real fun started when we opened the front door and stepped inside!

Of course, immediately upon entering my eyes were on the FLOOR! OOOOOhhh--Blue hexie snow flakes! Pretty plain and simple, but the fact that this is the ORIGINAL floor means it has had 104 years of busy foot traffic and that blue is still as vibrant as ever!

Just too cute! But I think I need my magic markers to do something in all of that white background area to spruce it up a bit, don’t you? :cD

Towards the back is where you’ll find Wendy’s lunch spot ---it’s a typical soda fountain/lunch counter ---ice cream, shakes, sundaes ---and typical lunch fare! All the while you are surrounded by displays of wonderful confections – the smell of chocolate is heavy in the air.

I love all the old mahogany dining booths! Look at the cabinetry --- and the hanging lights? Isn’t it just cute? I think I’d sit right down and order me a patty melt with fries, and a chocolate malt!

While I wandered around, the place got busier and busier --- ladies were holding baskets full of the Easter goodies that have become long time family traditions ---

Everyone else is after the chocolate bunnies, and candy filled children’s eggs – and I’ve got my eyes on the tin ceiling!

Oh, but look at this --- hand made chocolate Easter eggs filled with other chocolates and goodies inside! They are completely whole – until the little ones ((Or the big ones!)) break into them to discover the surprise contents.

This customer had a long list of what she needed, and was pointing out which of the filled eggs she wanted!

Hand made chocolate bunnies just waiting to go home with someone…..should we eat the ears first? Or start with the tails?

More yummies and other hand made confections of perfection ---

So what did I take home with me?

No bunnies! I needed something that wouldn't break or melt for my travels home. One small bag of black jelly beans came home with me – my fave! And quail eggs…which are soft caramel dipped in chocolate, and then in a candy coating ---MMMMMM!

This sign JUST about sums it up --- “Chocolate --- think INSIDE the box!”

This was just the neatest place – if you get a chance to go through Moline, IL – make sure to give yourself enough time to make a stop, and enjoy!