Today I had the opportunity to go to Dylan’s Candy Bar. For those of you who are unaware, Dylan’s Candy Bar is run by designer Ralph Lauren’s daughter Dylan Lauren and the store is considered the closest thing to Willy Wonka in real life. The store features all different types of candy and is meant to appeal to any candy lover. I’ve heard so much about this place and was really excited to finally get to see it with my own eyes.
The exterior blends right into the scene on the corner of 60th and Third Avenue. Its large windows only hint of what is inside and is decorated with headless models wearing the logo tee shirts and gift baskets bursting with colorful candy.
The first thing that I noticed when I stepped inside is the smell. Oh, what a wonderful smell! Made up of all things sweet, it’s chocolatey and buttery, welcoming you inside. My attention was then drawn to the giant area devoted to bin candy. Gummies, taffy, lollipops, chocolates of all shapes, colors and sizes; both familiar and not, were there to represent themselves and to tempt you. Boxes of candy were placed amongst the bins, reminding you there is still more to come.
Working my way towards the back, I found that Dylan’s has a ice cream bar with a giant floor to ceiling picture display of their offerings. If that wasn’t enough, there was also a small display case off to the side filled with cupcakes and other treats.
From there I noticed the stair case that led into the lower level of the store. It was lit up so that you could see all the bits of candy that were decorated into the steps. I was following the candy brick road down into the candy city, in a way.
This level had so much more to offer than the first floor. There was a whole corner devoted to retro candy with Idaho Spud, Skybar, Clark Bar, and Charleston Chew among many others, all waiting to waken some long forgotten childhood memory.
On the other side there were the self-dispensing bins of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans and the M&M Colorworks bins as well.
Along the back wall there was a huge display of PEZ candies and dispensers for sale. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many all in one place. The other half of the wall was devoted to Dylan’s own line of Belgian chocolates. There was a whole display dedicated to Celebrity candies. It was interesting to read though the names and see what their favorite candy was.
To makes things even more surreal, The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup character mascot was walking around!
And they didn't only have candy. They had Jelly Belly Lollipops, the Jelly Belly Cologne as well as the Big Tips Candy Collection.Then there was the fashion section...Clothes with the Dylan’s candy bar logo on everything from baby bibs, t-shirts, tank tops, pajamas and sweat pants. It wasn’t just clothing either; candy pillows, plush toys, perfumes, body washes, makeup, lip-gloss….the list goes on. Candy, ice-cream, cupcakes, and clothes all in one place....It can't get any better than that!
