A giddy array of confections from bygone days

November 11, 2007|Find, Necee Regis, Globe Correspondent

NEW YORK - If there's a candy store in heaven it can't be much better than Dylan's Candy Bar. With 10,000 square feet of space and more than 5,000 items, Dylan's is a candy wonderland, a sweet-lovers' Shangri-la on Third Avenue near Bloomingdale's. You name it and they probably have it.

The main level has a ginormous selection of candy in bulk that you serve yourself from towering clear plastic bins. Besides staples such as malted milk balls and chocolate covered raisins and peanuts there are sour gummy bears, black shoestring licorice, nonpareils, candy necklaces, Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, candy corn, gummy worms, jelly beans, orange circus peanuts, and more.

On the lower level, a nostalgic candy area bombards the senses with treats like Hot Tamales, Necco Wafers, Bit-O-Honey, BB Bats, Dots, Chuckles, Chiclets, Dubble Bubble, Pez, and hard-to-find treats such as Goo Goo Clusters from Tennessee and Idaho Spuds. A best seller at the store are Dylan's own private label chocolate bars in 14 flavors from standard dark and milk to more exotic concoctions like black raspberry, banana, café mocha, and PB&J.

Dylan's also serves ice cream, malts, shakes, fruit smoothies, coffee drinks, frozen chai, cupcakes, fudge, and truffles. If you're not hungry, there are candy-themed pillows, hats, stuffed animals, beauty products, and fashions. (Tutti-frutti yoga pants, anyone?)

If this isn't enough, just wait. The store plans a 4,000-foot expansion in the spring. It has five other locations, two on Long Island, two in Orlando, and one in Houston.

Dylan's Candy Bar, 1011 Third Ave., New York, 646-735-0078, dylanscandybar.com.