Apparently, the cool kids are at the candy store. BonBon, a Swedish confectionery on the Lower East Side in New York City has become an unlikely nightlife hotspot. Open until midnight, the candy shop has become the place to be, with 20-somethings going there instead of to the bars. A dedicated “candy bouncer” named Sage manages the line, while the likes of Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and Harry Styles blare from inside. BonBon has been around for years, but it’s suddenly having a moment, thanks to TikTok and its social media-friendly pink shopping bags. An assistant manager named Sophie says, “We’re firing on all cylinders nearly all the time. It’s exhausting.” Roughly 10 customers are allowed inside the tiny shop at one time. They’re given sanitized scoops and set free to pick and mix from among colorful bins of Rambo Watermelon Sours, White Chocolate Licorice Marbles, Berry Bites, and fruity Bubs brand chews — the holy grail of Swedish candy. The shop’s Swedish co-founder, Robert Persson, admitted that some customers are clearly inebriated as they scoop their candy, which is priced at $18 per pound. “The boozy people spend more money,” said Persson. Most of the crowd that shows up on Saturday night is looking for nothing more than a sugar high. Persson said the fact that the candy is made with real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup, makes it superior to domestic treats. BonBon also delivers via apps like Seamless and Door Dash.
New York City’s Hottest Nightlife Scene is a Literal Candy Shop
Apparently, the cool kids are at the candy store. BonBon, a Swedish confectionery on the Lower East Side in New York City has become an unlikely nightlife hotspot. Open until midnight, the candy shop has become the place to be, with 20-somethings going there instead of to the bars. A dedicated “candy bouncer” named Sage manages the line, while the likes of Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and Harry Styles blare from inside. BonBon has been around for years, but it’s suddenly having a moment, thanks to TikTok and its social media-friendly pink shopping bags. An assistant manager named Sophie says, “We’re firing on all cylinders nearly all the time. It’s exhausting.” Roughly 10 customers are allowed inside the tiny shop at one time. They’re given sanitized scoops and set free to pick and mix from among colorful bins of Rambo Watermelon Sours, White Chocolate Licorice Marbles, Berry Bites, and fruity Bubs brand chews — the holy grail of Swedish candy. The shop’s Swedish co-founder, Robert Persson, admitted that some customers are clearly inebriated as they scoop their candy, which is priced at $18 per pound. “The boozy people spend more money,” said Persson. Most of the crowd that shows up on Saturday night is looking for nothing more than a sugar high. Persson said the fact that the candy is made with real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup, makes it superior to domestic treats. BonBon also delivers via apps like Seamless and Door Dash.