Stepping into The Cookie Jar, which celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 29 in Monument, was a bit like a visit to the candy shop in the opening scene of “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

There were tiny train cars full of brightly colored lollipops. The shop is layered with treats with flavored popcorn toward the bottom and fudges, brownies and cookies stacked above. Along a wall are gift boxes and baskets at lower-than-expected prices.

Add to those a table with gluten-free options and another with dog treats and you’ve got the Tri-Lakes area’s newest sweet spot.

The only thing missing was a shopkeeper singing “The Candy Man Can.”

Fittingly for a shop that inspires childhood memories, it was a 13-year-old who helped set it in motion. Parker Morris, who loves to fish at nearby Monument Lake, first spotted the vacant storefront at 251 Front Street #8.

“We were on the search for a shop and I said ‘what about that one? It’s empty,’’ Parker said.

Parker also contributed ideas concerning the set up. Aside from several décor items, Parker said it was his idea to have customers pull directly off the shelves rather than wait for counter service like many other such shops.

“He came up with a lot of the ideas in here,” Brandi Morris, Parker’s mother, said. “This is kind of his fantasy come to life.”

The family has been running an ice cream trailer called Lil Bears for the past five years, which Brandi said will still make its rounds around the Pikes Peak region during the summertime. But mobile ice cream is the very definition of seasonal, so they went on the lookout for a year-round spot when Parker made his discovery.

“Basically, I didn’t have anything to do in the winter, so they found me something to do in the winter,” said the family matriarch, BJ Morris, who is Brandi’s mom and Parker’s grandma.

She had an ornery smile when she said it.

“It’s been a quick ride,” Brandi said. “We’re excited to be a part of Monument and we’re just hoping to be here for a long time.”