The phrase “kid in a candy store” is a bit outdated and restricting, in my opinion. I’m in my 20’s, but I still get excited when I go to a candy store. Why should the love for candy and candy stores end or be subdued once you’re an adult? It doesn’t!
Sugarfina – The Shops at Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
www.sugarfina.com
Display Wall
Rosie O’Neill and Josh Resnick, the co-founders of Sugarfina, don’t think so either. The two are not only business partners, but a couple as well, and the idea of a candy store for adults came about on their third date. Sugarfina was the sweet answer to a more adult-friendly experience, encompassing minimalistic, yet still elegant décor, while still playing with pops of color and fun with all of the candies; more than 140 different ones to choose from, just to give you an idea. The shops have a clean design, using white and a robin’s egg blue for the main color scheme.
Selections for my bento box
Sugarfina originated in California, from where the couple lives, and has been popping up nationally over the last new years, as well as being sold in Nordstrom. They also have a display in Bloomingdales on 59th Street & Lex. Customers can order online directly from Sugarfina website. You can buy candies by the individual cube (small or large), or you can build a bento box full of goodies. The packing is beautiful, can be customizable, and makes an excellent gift. Sugarfina also offers pre-built, themed boxes and cute cards for all sorts of occasions. In addition to being a purveyor of gourmet sweets, the company is environmentally conscious, limiting excessive packaging, and donating portions of the profits toward re-planting trees back into the earth.
Cocktail-themed gift box
When I heard that there was an actual store front opening in New York City (there’s also another store coming into the Oculus at World Trade Center building), I just knew I had to go. I got to chitchat with Carla and Travis, the manager and assistant manager of the store in Columbus Circle. Each one of them had a wonderfully sweet personality and were full of awesome pieces of information. Travis explained that although Sugarfina is designed to attract an audience with a more sophisticated palate by using ingredients such as kumquats or alcohol inspired candies, his nephew adores the champagne gummy bears. After chatting for a bit, I decided to build myself an eight-piece bento box (for research purposes, of course!).
Kyoto Blossoms
Amongst my selection was the Finnska Red candies, a strawberry licorice from Finland, which Carla playfully referred to as “Twizzler’s rich cousin.” Of course, the Champagne Bears were a huge hit as well, and not forgetting to mention the Marzipan Lemon Cakes, which remind me of a lemon pound cake. It’s safe to say that I’ll be sampling and researching for a bit, but you can bet that I’ll be back at Sugarfina soon for a refill on my favorites sometime soon!
