How Sweet It Is: The Best Candy Shops in NYC
There are three candy holidays, or I should say Holy Days, in the United States: Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. I remember as a child, when one of these observed holy days approached, my father would open a portal into another world. No matter where we lived at the time, he would find a candy shop that felt like a time capsule, with loads of obscure candies, chocolates, and myriad other snacks, stacked floor to ceiling. These shops, of course, are universal--found in some form or another all over the world. And though much has changed in the candy game since I was a child, there’s one thing that hasn’t. When you are serious about your sweets, you don’t go to a drugstore, you go to a candy shop. And if you want to do it in New York City, you can’t go wrong with these institutions.
Economy Candy
Economy Candy is the quintessential OG candy shop. As humble beginnings go, it doesn’t get more humble than this former shoe and hat repair shop. Wait, what? A shoe and hat repair shop? Yes. When the Depression hit, the only thing that was selling was the candy in the pushcart outside, so in 1937 it morphed into the candy mecca it is today. The old-school storefront has been a comforting constant throughout all the fast-paced change in NYC’s exciting Lower East Side.
Run by the third generation of the founding family, Economy Candy sells exactly what you would expect: candy, chocolate, gift baskets, dried fruit, nuts and much more. But a visit to this legendary space is more than just about procurement of your favorite sweets, it’s an experience in and of itself--a rare window into bygone days. Oh, and if you’re worried about finding that particular confection you haven’t tasted since childhood, Economy Candy has you covered. As the proprietors have said in one form or another over the years: “If we don’t have it, they don’t make it anymore.”
Whether you’re looking to shop by decade, country, occasion, or color, you’ll find unlimited options here. But our favorite thing to peruse at Economy Candy are the novelty items: Blue Q Gum boxes with witty captions, a Bob Ross Flavor Palette with a paintbrush-shaped candy stick, Dill Pickle Mints… you get the gist. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for that perfect stocking stuffer or just buying yourself a little treat, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face.
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Dylan's Candy Bar
Born of a different legacy family, Dylan Lauren, daughter of the famous fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, had a vision. She wanted to “merge the worlds of art, fashion, and pop culture with candy” with the goal of “creating the world's largest confectionery emporium and lifestyle brand.” It certainly doesn’t get much more ambitious than that.
Dylan references Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory when speaking about her inspiration, but we found ourselves drawn to another comparison of equally important cultural significance: The Jetsons. Some of our favorite candy stores are a glorious step into the past, while Dylan’s Candy Bar is an exciting step into the future. It is modern, sleek, pathologically organized, and thoughtfully curated. From the moment you walk in the door and the sweet smell hits your nose (is that vanilla marshmallow--dear God, it is!), you know this isn’t your Grandfather’s candy shop.
The Hudson Yards location features an incredible selection of chocolates and candies from the Who’s Who of confection makers. But you’ll also find enough unique gifts, toys, games and lifestyle products to make all your sweet dreams come true. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic about that long lost inner-child who stockpiled candy in a tin box under the bed, or you just need that perfect gift for your niece’s Sweet Sixteen party, you’re in good hands at Dylan’s Candy Bar.
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Myzel’s Chocolate
Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union in Europe, a Polish asylum seeker, Kamila Myzel, armed with some of her mother’s recipes for traditional European chocolates, marzipan and cookies, took refuge in the United States. In 1990, after a stint working at the former German mainstay, Cafe Gieger, Myzel’s Chocolate opened at its diminutive location, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, where it still resides today.
Certainly, you’ll find a solid variety of chocolates, truffles, and cookies at Myzel’s Chocolate, but for our part, the star of the show is the more than 100 varieties of licorice. Black, fruity, and candy-covered versions are housed in rows of yellow-labeled glass jars, many of them sourced from Europe. You’ll also find a wide variety of other various sweets, from chocolate-covered nuts and fruits to malted milk balls and jelly beans.
If you are unsure of what to get, particularly with such an astonishing number of options, you can’t go wrong requesting Kamila make you a mix. If you have preferences, offer some guidance and she’ll follow your lead without missing a beat. In my case, I was looking for minimally salty, modestly sweet, softer licorices, and Kamila expertly crafted the perfect mix.
Pro Tip: The minimum purchase from the jars is a quarter pound, and the minimum credit card purchase is $15.00.
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BonBon
We often wax poetic about how you can travel the world without leaving New York City, and BonBon is yet another example that proves us deliciously right. Founded by three Swedish transplants (two of whom went to high school together in Malmö), the Swedish candy company offers a wide, though not overwhelming, selection in a bright, cheery space. Their tagline Growing Up Is A Trap captures the sense of joy attached to their brand identity. Founder Selim Adira was a restaurant professional attached to Marcus Samuelsson’s Aquavit and Red Rooster eateries, and he says moving over to the world of candy was “just pure fun”.
Licorice is a Scandinavian staple, and BonBon offers an approachable way to discover it. The chocolate-licorice blends are gateway products, and you’ll find yourself chewing on those Raspberry Licorice Foamy Skulls in no time. But licorice isn’t the only thing on the menu; far from it. BonBon offers sweet, sour and marshmallow gummy varieties, chocolates, and other Scandinavian classics. When we visited Bergen, Norway, I quickly became addicted to Smash!, chocolate-covered corn “bugles” with a hint of salt. I can now find them here. In the summer, their soft serve ice cream includes a licorice flavor and comes with decidedly Swedish add-ons like hazelnut sauce.
BonBon is an excellent option for gift boxes (in their signature pink shade), and if you happen to be local, they even deliver. When you’re in the store, you’re always welcome to ask for a recommendation, and sampling has always been encouraged. Once you’ve made your selections, pick-and-mix all your favorites into a bag, which is then priced by weight. The next time you head to Sweden, you’ll be snacking like a local.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for gluten-free, sugar-free, or gelatin-free options, BonBon has something that will fit your requirements. Just ask!
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Sugarfina
Sugarfina is a candy store, but it’s not for kids. The target demographic here are adults with a sense of style and more refined, sophisticated palates. Their retail outlets aren’t stores, they’re boutiques. Instead of the usual colorful candy store appearance, you’ll find a serene, bright white palette along with distinctive, aesthetically pleasing packaging. Clearly marked labels featuring clever names and easy-to-read icons make navigating allergens a breeze. And finally, expert gift-wrapping guarantees a fuss-free shopping experience.
“Ochugen” is the culture of gift-giving which originated in China and then popularized as an art form in Japan. Sugarfina seems to have placed itself seamlessly in this wheelhouse, making the art of picking out a memorable gift seem effortless.
You’ll find fresh takes on classics from around the world, but you’ll also find unusual flavors and textures, like Kombucha, Rosé, or Champagne infused gummies, that will challenge your notion of both what a candy can and should be. Looking for a Candy Bento Box or glass-like cubes to present those sumptuous treats at their utmost elegance? Pop by the store for your gifts and wait for the compliments to roll in.
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Spoiled Parrot
Located in the stylish new Tin Building at Manhattan’s historic South Street Seaport, Spoiled Parrot is every travel lover’s dream. The Tin Building, a gourmet marketplace founded by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, occupies the space which once housed the Fulton Street Fish Market. You can find Spoiled Parrot on the ground floor, with a distinctive gelato counter and candy display that beckons immediately. The candy store’s unique name comes from a verse in “This High Meadow” by 13th century poet Rumi, which reads, “I am a spoiled parrot who eats only candy. I have no interest in bitter food.”
Though the space isn’t very large, every single inch is designed to tantalize and mesmerize. The selection is tightly curated, from the variety of craft labels to the diversity of flavors and tastes. If, like us, you revel in the opportunity to sample local sweets when you travel, you’ll find some of the specialties from your faraway escapades here. Among the rows of eye-catching sweets, you’ll find Kolsvart candy fish straight from Malmo, Sweden (real Swedish Fish!) and organic bean-to-bar chocolate from Millésime Chocolat out of Liege, Belgium. Spoiled Parrot also has its own line of confectioneries with adventurous combinations like yuzu raspberry lollipops and lemon jalapeno chocolates. No matter what you choose, you’ll soon find yourself on a flavorful journey around the world.
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