It all started because of sprinkles. When a preschool friend of Marci Payne's daughter could not decorate his cupcake with the rest of the class because he was allergic to the red dye in the candy decorations, Payne found an all-natural alternative online and ordered it for the 4-year-old boy. The problem got the stay-at-home mom of two thinking.

"I thought, 'That is crazy. There has to be an all-natural sprinkle. The boy has to be included,'" Payne said. "His plate always looked so sad.

"I was sure that there's got to be an all-natural candy store or a candy store that has an all-natural section because not everybody can have all the junk."

Payne searched and found that some stores offered only a small variety of all-natural candy. She was unable to find a store with a large selection. That led to a talk with her husband, Tom, who suggested she start her own sweets shop specializing in all-natural offerings.

About two years later, Mar-Mar's Candy Jar opened its doors to customers.

When things got rough trying to open the store, Payne said what kept her motivated was the that fact that she soon would be able to offer a variety of different candies to kids who normally could not eat any.

"I tell everybody, 'If the passion is bigger than the fear, you can make it happen,'" she said. "It's still scary, but when you see those kids come in here and thank you for having the store, it's all worth it."

Mar-Mar's Candy Jar celebrated its first anniversary Nov. 15. The shop sells an ever-changing variety of all-natural chocolates, gummies and different candies in its bulk bins. There also is an 8-foot glass truffle case that features a decadent variety of chocolates.

In addition, there are plenty of sweet treats made fresh at the store, including chocolates, cotton candy and marshmallow bars.

Holidays bring season-specific treats to the store. With Christmas approaching, peppermint bark, candy canes of all flavors and truffles featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus and Mr. Snowman will soon hit the shelves.

"I love this place, and we're going to stick to our vision of being all-natural all the way through so when the kids walk in here, they know they can have that candy," Payne said. "We're not going to bend the rules on anything."

Homemade sweet homemade

Mar-Mar's Marshmallows [$1.99]

Mar-Mar's Marshmallows are made each week, and often multiple times a week. They are sold as individually wrapped bars and come in a variety of flavors that change with the season. Flavors include s'more, pumpkin spice and pecan apple pie. A peppermint flavor marshmallow is coming soon for the holiday season.

Organic cotton candy [$1.50–$3]

Fresh batches of cotton candy are made weekly at Mar-Mar's Candy Jar. The fluffy, sweet treat comes in many flavors with marshmallow, pineapple and cherry now available. Cotton candy comes in three sizes: cones [$1.50,] cups [$2.50] and bags [$3].

Unconventional chocolates

Mar-Mar's Candy Jar sells chocolate that includes ingredients not seen in everyday confections. Some of its unique treats feature dark and milk chocolate mixed with:

• curry coconut
• smokehouse barbecue chips
• beef jerky
• maple bacon
• birthday cake batter

Mar-Mar's Candy Jar, 24449 I-10, Ste. 100, Katy 281-394-5995, www.marmarscandyjar.com, Hours: Mon.–Wed. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., , Thu.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m.