Yesterday was a gorgeous day in Manhattan.
A perfect day for walking the streets and taking in all this incredible city has to offer.
I had plans to meet my cousin Mark and his lovely wife, Kristen to see the movie Lion and then an early dinner. I leave tomorrow morning, so it would be our last opportunity to spend a little time together until I next return or I convince them to finally visit Taos.
I walked across town, through Union Square, which as always was filled with artists selling their work, buskers playing for handouts and an incredible juggler who tossed his balls higher and higher, never missing a catch.
The streets were packed – everyone had the same idea about getting out and enjoying the rare sunshine that we in Taos so take for granted! Today the forecast is for snow and as I look down onto the streets below, the usual NY winter gloom has once more set in.
As I crossed the Square to my destination I noticed a sign above a shop.
In 2001, when Dylan Lauren (the daughter of Ralph), created Dylan’s Candy Bar, cleverly merging the worlds of art, fashion and pop culture with candy, I was intrigued with the concept and promised myself a visit to her shop when next I was in town.
Well I must have forgotten all about it but yesterday I went in to buy my cousin’s daughters (and my grand children), a little treat and to see for myself what all the fuss was about.
With a mission to “awaken the creative spirit and inner child in everyone,” Dylan’s Candy Bar transports one to a modern-day Willy Wonka’s candy factory. Its pop art installations—such as the iconic oversized lollipop tree, candy cane columns, dripping chocolate shelves, kaleidoscopic candy wallpaper and candy-embedded staircases are serious eye-candy indeed and one is tempted via all of the senses to purchase and indulge in these sweet delights.
The shop boasts 7,000 confections, showcasing the largest selection of candies and candy-related gifts from around the world. It is a literal museum of candy, where each piece is curated and displayed like art.
The vibrant colors, distinctive graphics and really creative packaging have made Dylan’s Candy Bars destination spots wherever they are located from NYC to Los Angeles and points in-between.
It’s no wonder that the brand counts many celebrities as fans, along with every child who has ever set foot in one of the locations.
Yesterday the place was packed with kids filling bags with sweet treats (under the indulgent yet watchful eyes of parents and guardians.) I thought of my own grandkids let loose in there and truly, who could refuse a child a dream as sweet as this? I bagged up a pound of colourful gummy worms (snakes) to bring back to Taos. I’d worry about dividing it into threes when I returned.
I bought some tiny gummy bears in a rainbow of colours for the girls and went off to meet Mark and Kristen at the Movie Theater. Lion is a serious tear – jerker. Take an entire box of tissues with you. We then went to ABC Cocina for a divine spin on Mexican food unlike any you have ever eaten before, in an incredibly designed setting, which reminded me of why I need to visit NYC more frequently.
For more information on Dylan’s Candy Bars (the perfect Valentine’s treat) and acclaimed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Cocina, please visit the links below this post.
All pics snapped on my iphone
How sweet is this! Thank you for sharing your experience in NY. You definitely brought me there with you. I can hear the bustle of Union Square as you walk the most incredible city! I would love to have you as my NY guide. Next time!
We’ll do it! It was cool having you on the phone while checking out this great shop – and perfect really – you are so gifted at displaying your products as well, Toni.