Today’s candy stores aren’t just for kids. They’re adult playgrounds meant to evoke nostalgia and perhaps even serve as happy hour destinations.
Dylan's Candy Bar, which has two Manhattan locations, serves not only every type of candy imaginable but also mixes up signature cocktails like the “Drunken Sour Patch” and “Jabber Jaw Swizzle.” And it's not alone.
Sugarfina, a California chain that's set to expand to New York is known for treats like champagne gummy bears from Germany and candied and chocolate-covered kumquat from Greece. Its cocktail candies are strictly off-limits to anyone under 21.
Dylan Lauren, 41, the founder and CEO of Dylan’s Candy Bar (and the daughter of designer Ralph Lauren) said she had adults in mind when she began building her company more than a decade ago. The goal was to create a place where “anyone can find their inner kid,” she told Yahoo Finance. Nowadays, she estimates the average Dylan's customer's age to be around 30.
Her flagship Upper East Side store even has a “Nostalgia Shoppe,” where TVs blare old candy commercials and the shelves are stocked with sweets from the past like Oh Henry! bars and Razzles. There's even a collection based on iconic moments from the 2004 movie “Mean Girls,” that includes $5 Kalteen bars, $32 “On Wednesdays we eat pink candy” t-shirts, and $20 tote bags that say “Get in Loser, We’re Going Shopping.”
Sugarfina is taking a slightly different approach to appealing to adult candy connoisseurs. Co-founder Rosie O’Neill, 35, told Yahoo Finance Sugarfina is aiming for the high-end. For example, at the chain's New York locations champagne gummy bears will be made with Dom Pérignon and not a lesser bubbly.
Both chains are expanding in a world where more candy shops are opening their doors and as candy seems to be experiencing something of a renaissance.
In 2014, confections generated $34.5 billion in U.S. retail sales, up 18% from $29.3 billion in 2009. And four of the names dominating the sweets sector -- Hershey (HSY), Mars, Lindt, and Nestle (NSRGY) -- have been losing market share as an increasing number of smaller boutiques have popped up, according to market research firm IRI.
Sockerbit, a Scandinavian candy store, opened in New York's West Village in 2011. Los Angeles-based Sugarfina is opening two locations in Manhattan. Dylan’s has 11 shops nationwide and plans to expand to London and Tokyo.
And while Sugarfina and Dylan may be pursuing different avenues for growth, both chains draw inspiration from the same source: Willy Wonka.
Sugarfina’s co-founders (who are married) say they were inspired to start the company after they watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on their third date. Meanwhile, Lauren calls her candy store a “modern day version of Willy Wonka’s factory."
