Economy Candy, a beloved Lower East Side treasure since 1937, offers a dizzying array of international sweets and nostalgic treats that make every visit a joyful trip down memory lane.
"Founded in 1937, this quintessential Lower East Side institution was a wholesaler that turned into a retailer. Thousands of varieties of candy are offered, including many regional varieties (like Squirrel Nut Zippers and Mary Janes) and other types you may have thought long extinct (Bonomo’s Turkish Taffy, Nik-L-Nips). Every day, the sales floor crowds with tourists, the nostalgic, and candy lovers of all stripes. There’s an additional location in the Chelsea Market." - Robert Sietsema
"Economy Candy is an iconic candy store located in the Lower East Side of New York City. It has been in operation since 1937 and offers a wide variety of candies. Recently, it has expanded with a satellite location at Chelsea Market, maintaining its reputation as a staple in the city's candy scene." - Bettina Makalintal
"Economy Candy is one of the stockists of Ariola's Cannoli Bars, adding to the intrigue and limited availability of the candy bars, which are not advertised on the Ariola family website." - Emma Orlow
"There's no doubt which shop comes first in our gummy-loving hearts—this one-of-a-kind institution should probably be named an official city landmark. As the oldest candy store in New York, Economy Candy has been filling dentist chairs on the Lower East Side since 1937. It’s not so much a shop as it is a depot, with an overwhelming section of imported goodies from Japan, Germany, England, and a few Scandinavian countries. They don’t have a bulk section, but they do have a vast variety of one pound bags (from around $5), and more chocolate bars than you can imagine (grab a Cannoli Bar with deep-fried shell fragments). Come with a kid, or before you throw your next party, and get lost in one of NYC’s most overstimulating stores." - molly fitzpatrick, will hartman, willa moore
"For imported candies from Germany, Japan, and the UK, baseball cards, Pez dispensers, gag gifts, and bulk jelly beans, there’s really only one place to go. And that’s Economy Candy—the city’s oldest candy shop—which has been filling dentist chairs on the Lower East Side since 1937. While they don’t have a bulk section with little plastic scoops and big tubs of candy, the selection here rivals that of Harry Potter’s Honeydukes (don’t miss the branded butterbeer-flavored candy). It's one of NYC's most overstimulating stores, and a great place to stock up before a party. Or come with children, give them a budget, and prepare to deal with the fallout of a sugar rush. It’ll be worth it. $15 gets you pretty far here, with one-pound bags starting at around $5 each. photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff" - Will Hartman
