Rocket Fizz to open in Mountain View

Sodas in glass bottles, rare Kit-Kat flavors, your favorite childhood candy, gag gifts: Welcome to Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, a franchise of which is set to open in downtown Mountain View in October.

Mark McLaughlin, whose brother owns a Rocket Fizz franchise in Boulder, Colorado, is opening the new location at 298 Castro St. After 35 years in the film industry, McLaughlin recently moved to Mountain View and wanted to bring the same fun, nostalgic environment that he’s witnessed in his brother’s shop to the area.

The first Rocket Fizz opened in Camarillo, California, in 2009. The company has since grown to more than 60 franchises across the nation, including one in Palo Alto, which opened on University Avenue in 2012. (At opening, that shop’s inventory included 1,500 different candies, 60 types of saltwater taffy and at least 500 flavors of soda.) All of the franchises are independently owned and operated.

McLaughlin describes Rocket Fizz as a place that brings people, young and old, together, where “little kids are just as excited as parents” about the offerings.

The Mountain View Rocket Fizz will sell old-school candy, European and Japanese treats, sodas (all in glass bottles), retro posters, comic books, toys, vintage advertisements and more – all representative of the 20th century, from about the 1930s to the 1980s or 1990s, McLaughlin said.

“Candy is just part of it,” he said. “It’s really just a pop culture experience.”

Each franchise owner tweaks the location to his or her style, so they’re all unique, McLaughlin said.

“I’m really into rock and roll music and comic books and pop culture so that’s going to be a big influence on my store,” he added.

Rocket Fizz Mountain View is moving into a downtown space recently vacated by Seascape, a niche pet store.

McLaughlin is hoping to open sometime in October. Stay tuned for an opening date.