BALDWINSVILLE — Like many kids sidelined from their usual activities during the pandemic, Lucas Dottolo was looking for something to fill the hours.
“Me and my brother were bored, so we decided to start our own businesses,” said Lucas, now 10 and in fourth grade at Van Buren Elementary.
While his older brother, Dominic, opted to mow lawns for extra cash, Lucas scrolled through Pinterest browsing recipes to satisfy his sweet tooth. After much trial and error — and some help from Dominic and their dad, Joe — Lucas’ Lollies began to take shape.
Now, Lucas’ Lollies are available at Sweet Dream Candy Shoppe in the village of Baldwinsville.
While Lucas has his secret recipe down to a science, it took a few batches to get the hang of things.
“Our first few batches were not too good,” Joe Dottolo said of his son’s kitchen adventures. “It was originally ‘Lucas’ Lollies and Yummy Gummies.’”
Gummies proved too prone to melting, and the Dottolos’ initial attempts to let the lollipops set on a pan lined with wax paper resulted in a sticky mess. Lucas ordered candy molds and lollipop sticks to streamline the process. He sources his candy-making supplies at Tops and Amazon.
Sweet Dream owner Robin Mack suggested a list of flavors that she thought would sell well and Lucas’ Lollies began flying off the shelves. Lucas said his friends have told him his creations “taste really good.”
“My brother’s friend, Jack, said his sister and his mom would come here pretty much every week,” Lucas said.
Lucas has been experimenting with other candies. He has made three-dimensional chocolate roses for his loved ones, and he even attempted a sore throat soother made with honey and cinnamon over the winter.
“They were disgusting,” Lucas said, although his father said Lucas’ grown-up taste testers liked the honey lollies.
With four siblings and a willing mom and dad, Lucas has plenty of homegrown help when it comes to taste-testing his lollipops. Dominic helps package the products in exchange for a bag of leftover, misshapen bits of candy Lucas calls the “Land of Misfit Lollies.”
Next on Lucas’ to-do list are “fizzy” lollipops made with Pop Rocks and mystery lollipops — “a random flavor that kids would like,” he said. He is hoping to sell his creations through other local businesses.
Lucas’ Lollies cost 65 cents each and are available in several flavors, including green apple, lemon, cherry, butterscotch, root beer, grape and blue raspberry (the creator’s favorite).
Sweet Dream Candy Shoppe is located at 3 W. Genesee St. in the village of Baldwinsville (at the Four Corners). For more information, visit facebook.com/sweetdreamcandyshoppe or call 315-303-0834.
