Candy stores and bakeries? Where? I'm a former resident and frequent visitor to The Rock, and don't know these places.

It's a long island, @1. In fact, last time hot mud flows from Rainier came, it burnt the lower half of the island.

I remember driving home from work in Issaquah to Ballard, and being on Mercer Island when the bridge sank. That was a sight.

@1, Island Treats is the confectionery, see the small shopping strip on the SE corner of the all-way stop at 76th and 27th. Lovely place. On the SW corner of that same intersection is Oh Chocolate, which is also charming and awesome, but with a slightly different selection of yummies. It also has the ironic distinction of being in the same small building as a dentist, possibly two. Bakery would be Shawn's (just up 24th to the west of 76th Street), and there's also a French one (L'Experience Paris), which is in the other corner of the town center with HomeGrown Sandwiches (founded by islanders, now up to 10 restaurants I think). HTH!