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South Carolina's unemployment rate has dropped for the fourth month in a row. 

A possible example of an employment up tick is a new business in the Midlands.  Saturday Five Points welcomed its newest neighbor.

"It has been overwhelming," said the store's co-owner Lynn Humphrey.  "We had folks here at 10 o'clock ready to come in and it has been steady ever since."

Columbia's Tic-Toc Candy Shoppe officially opened its doors Saturday.  The stores owners say although the economy is taking its sweet time to recover, they're ready to scoop up new business and hopefully pump money into other local shops.

"If we can generate the foot traffic and get folks in this store then maybe it will generate business to the book store, the hair salon, the shore store and maybe everyone can benefit," said Humphrey.

Both Lynn Humphrey and her business partner Dee Dailey say they weighed their options before setting up shop.  And they felt the time was right to turn their dream into a sweet reality.

"I think we've seen a lot of smiles on adult faces today too, so yes we're hoping we'll have a little bit for everybody," said Humphrey.

Smiles aren't the only things being served up inside the whimsical wonderland.  Customers like Michelle Johnson say with every scoop, it's sort of a trip down memory lane.

"I don't think I've seen a candy shop quite like this," said Johnson.  "And it brings back so many memories of my own childhood, so many different types of candy I used to eat."

Despite the semi-sour economy, the shop owners are already enjoying the sweet taste of success.