Some sweets aficionados may already be familiar with 3 Star Candy Shop in downtown Round Rock. Those who have yet to visit won’t be disappointed, owner Elvis Marte said.

“Come and give us a shot, and we will definitely have something sweet for you here,” Marte said.

Marte and his wife, Anna Lee, moved their candy store from Georgetown to their current storefront in late 2014.

Marte said he drew inspiration for the shop from the bodegas—or corner stores—in the Dominican Republic, where he grew up.

“Just like every immigrant that comes to America, we wanted to build the dream,” Marte said. “We knew we weren’t going to be millionaires selling candy, but it’s something we like doing:  getting to know the community.”

Anna Lee’s father came to the U.S. in the 1970s and opened a corner store called 3 Star with a star for each of his daughters. Marte and Anna Lee have three sons so the name seemed like a natural fit.

Like the name suggests, 3 Star Candy Shop is home to a variety of candy options, but the store also offers other ways to satisfy your sweet tooth as well. It serves ice cream, shakes and cookies. The store also has a variety of sodas, including some unusual flavors, such as ranch dressing and wing sauce. Marte is especially proud, however, of 3 Star’s coffee.

“In the whole state of Texas, you cannot beat our café con leche,” Marte said.

From British candy to California’s Abba Zabba, Marte prides himself on stocking the shelves with anything a sweets lover might want. If the shop does not have a particular item in stock, Marte said he will do his best to find it.

Downtown visitors can order an ice-cream shake to-go through the window facing the sidewalk at the front of the store or come in and browse the shelves. Those looking for a place to hang out can visit the back patio, which has a seating area, games and a ping-pong table.

“Our goal is to have you and your family rediscover your town,” Marte said. “You don’t always have to drive to Austin to have a unique experience —you can always come to downtown Round Rock.”

3 Star Candy Shop
113 E. Main St., Round Rock
512-636-7625
www.3starcandy.com
Hours: Sun.-Thu.11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.