Three Swedish masterminds opened a candy utopia in the city that never sleeps, captivating taste buds and setting social media ablaze. Since its grand opening in September 2024, the candy shop known as “Bon Bon” with its pretty pink bags and navy blue logo, has turned the Upper East Side into a sugary paradise. Boasting an irresistible array of sweet, sour, chocolate and black licorice imported Swedish treats, this sweet spot went viral on TikTok and became the latest craze with lines out the door and orders they cannot keep up with.
What sets this candy store apart – is its vegan, gluten-free delights crafted with all-natural colorants and real sugar, free from GMOs. Their star attraction, ‘Bubs,’ a marshmallowy sensation available in a variety of flavors, is so popular it practically flies off the shelves. And let’s not forget the pink skull wild strawberry sour candies, leaving candy aficionados craving more. These two selections are constantly sold out and once they restock they become unavailable in minutes.
True to its Scandinavian roots, the store offers a black licorice selection that’s nearly impossible to find in the U.S. A niche taste, it has collected a dedicated following among those who dare to try its unique flavor.
This sweet shop began in 2017 on the Lower East Side and expanded to Williamsburg in 2020. The Upper East Side branch has a huge following of adults and teenagers alike. The Fieldston community, regardless of where you are in the city, will no doubt enjoy these sweets. The craze has reached such heights that many treats are perpetually sold out, creating a delightful challenge for the three Swedish owners. The display of bright colorful bulk candy in bins, along with clean scoopers to mix and match into their pretty pink bags. However, the price of $18 + tax per pound is hard to swallow!
They also offer a wide selection of specialty wrapped candy such as nostalgic collections of Nordic chocolate bars, boxes, candy bags and wrapped specialties, as well as recent creations and collaborations from up-and-coming candy makers.
For those beyond the city limits, have no fear — Bon Bon ships nationwide in their pretty pink boxes, great for gifts. However, the surge in demand has created a backlog, with candy enthusiasts eagerly awaiting their sugary parcels. The website states there is a lag of three weeks before orders will ship. Meanwhile, New Yorkers can indulge in late-night cravings, thanks to the extended hours and partnerships with Grubhub and UberEats. A salesperson at Bon Bon says, “Bon Bon is open 10 am to midnight daily, with the late night hour cravings bringing them their highest volume of delivery orders.”
Bon Bon also pays homage to “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” – a page on their website is dedicated to “Willy’s Gift Shop” selling Bon Bon hoodies, T-shirts, hats and totes. Additionally, they have limited edition Collabs with fellow NYC creative trendsetters. In the realm of confectionery delights, Bon Bon is not just a candy store; it’s a trend-setting shop curated for candy enthusiasts and fashion aficionados alike.
