Popped Candy gets storefront in Enchanted Hills

Popped Candy, which has been a mobile business for some time, finally has a place to call home and celebrated its opening Aug. 1.

Owner Catherine Frost, aka the candy lady, is excited to be open and happy to have a location.

"I just want to say thank you, especially thank you to my husband Chris, who could not be here today. Thank you for all of you guys really. I couldn't do this without you and your support — just repeat customers and continuing to come out and support us when we're at events, my community and friends, everything — just I'm so grateful for all of you. I'm super excited to continue to grow," Frost said.

Mayor Gregg Hull, who attended the ribbon cutting, has known about Popped Candy business.

"Now we've known Popped Candy for a while. Who would have known that you could take a really great-tasting candy and turn it even grater tasting by freeze drying it and then re-packaging? Pretty phenomenal," he said.

Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Schalow was also happy Frost got "her spot."

"Now you're in an air conditioned location," he joked.

He also jokingly asked if freeze drying the candy takes away calories so he can eat more of them.

Frost replied, "You are responsible for yourself."

She clarified that the freeze drying process just removes water so the calories remain the same.

According to NASA, freeze drying came about during and after World War II to preserve and store foods. It became the main method for preserving food for astronauts during the Apollo 11 mission. Freeze drying candy came shortly after.

Modern day popped candy made a come back during the isolation period of COVID-19.

Rio Rancho now has its own location to try it.

"We're going to have some really big and exciting things coming, so be on the lookout for popped candy and more," Frost said.

The candy shop is located off of Enchanted Hills Boulevard and Jager Way. For more information, visit the poppedcandy.com.