Opening in the fall of 2006, The Rocket carries a range of retro and novelty candy, kitsch, toys, and housewares. Among the store's product/service combinations are pinatas that can be filled from the in-store bulk bins of candy, and tin lunch boxes that can be filled with other items from the store and shrinkwrapped as giftboxes.

The store has received rave reviews from the blogging community since its opening, and seems to be doing well.

The Rocket added a small refrigerator in early 2007, stocked with Faygo products, as well as less interesting pop. The Detroit Snack Combo - a can of Faygo and a bag of Ready Made's - will put you back a mere 75 cents; Faygo in glass bottles is $1.29, or 2/$2.

In 2010 The Rocket moved across the street to 122 West Michigan to a larger storefront. 

In the news

• Plans to move, expand down the street, 2010

The Rocket candy and novelty shop, located at 103 W. Michigan in downtown Ypsilanti, is moving across the street into one of the retail storefronts of the newly rehabbed historic buildings owned by Maurer Management & Properties Inc. “We’ve outgrown the store and need more space to display our merchandise,” explains Eli Morrissey, who co-owns the store with Paul Balcom.