Greg Hartman, Rocket Fizz owner.

With a little bit of fizz and a whole lot of sugar, a new local shop has started quite the buzz in Winona Lake. Quietly opening its doors for the first time last week, Rocket Fizz owner and former Biomet CFO Greg Hartman had no way to anticipate the huge rush of candy and soda fanatics that flooded the shop to peruse his wares.

The store is every adult and child’s dream. With candy originating from numerous countries, guests are invited to taste something new. Familiar flavors parade around the store as well, some with unique twists you wouldn’t expect. For those looking for something… a little strange… Rocket Fizz has you covered with bacon flavored treats, ant candy and specialty sodas like buffalo wings, bloody nose and peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The store even features gag gifts, nostalgic gifts and wall decorations, too.

InkFreeNews Reporter Tommy Bohrer displays “dog dirt” that put Rocket Fizz on the map.

According to Hartman, his dream to start the store did not necessarily stem from a great personal love of sweets. Instead, Hartman learned of the nostalgic, zany candy shop by watching an episode of CBS’s Undercover Boss. The show follows executives as they “go undercover” and examine the inner workings of their business from entry level positions up. After watching Rocket Fizz Owner Robert Powell travel from warehouse to the storefront itself, an admiration and excitement for the business was born within Hartman that led him to leave his briefcase at Biomet and pioneer a store of his own.

After approaching Mary Louise Miller, wife of the late Dane Miller, CEO and founder of Biomet, Hartman began his endeavor of bringing salty, sweet and unusual treats to the Village at Winona. Hartman set up shop in the former Carousel Winery, located at 1005 E. Canal St, Winona Lake, lining the walls of the store with over 1,000 candy options and nearly 350 different sodas.

Hundreds of guests have already visited the store, which opened its doors quietly a few days before its expected date. Though an official announcement and grand opening event will be held Sept. 12, a multitude of men, women and children alike have already visited the shop.

“I could walk around here forever,” mused Justina Dragstrem, local native and current Florida resident. She and her children Titus and Malachi were among the first to visit the shop. “It’s really fun [inside here].”

Chad Hacker of Argos shared similar sentiments. Buying the iconic “Pop Rocks” for his daughter’s slumber party, Hacker mused about how treats from his childhood and beyond could now be shared with his own family. Hacker also noted he would purchase bacon flavored candies for his daughter, who is a fan of the trendy and unusual candy flavor.