Set in the 1930s, the story follows two extremely competitive coworkers in a Budapest perfumerie who, unbeknownst to themselves, become pen pals and fall in love.

The play on which the musical is based was also the source for the films "The Little Shop Around the Corner" and "You've Got Mail." Bock and Harnick's score features the favorites "Vanilla Ice Cream," "Dear Friend," and the title song.