Economy Candy: The Sweetheart of Rivington Street
Why is it significant?
Push through the glass door of Economy Candy at one hundred and eight Rivington Street and surrender to an overwhelming sensory rush of sugar, cocoa, and nostalgic wonder.
Key Facts
| Place | Economy Candy: The Sweetheart of Rivington Street |
|---|---|
| Address | 108 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002, USA |
| Geo Coordinates | 40.72020, -73.98880 |
| Part of Walk | New York: Lower East Side, Immigrant Tenements and Cultural Heritage |
| Generated | Generated |
Push through the glass door of Economy Candy at one hundred and eight Rivington Street and surrender to an overwhelming sensory rush of sugar, cocoa, and nostalgic wonder. Floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves and glass cases groan under the weight of thousands of candies, from retro Wax Lips and Turkish Delight to handmade chocolate babkas, fresh dried fruits, and giant blocks of sesame halva. The narrow aisles hum with laughter as generations of New Yorkers hunt for childhood sweets they thought had vanished from the earth decades ago.
The shop traces its colorful origins back to nineteen thirty-seven, during the depths of the Great Depression, when founder Morris Cohen operated a humble shoe repair and hat-cleaning business with a single pushcart of discount candy parked out front. As the hard times deepened, Cohen noticed that while customers could rarely afford new shoes or hat re-blocking, they could always scrape together a penny or nickel for a piece of candy to sweeten their day. He promptly scrapped the cobbler tools and converted the storefront entirely to confections. Regular patrons travel from across the tri-state area to hunt down hard-to-find treats like licorice pipes, chocolate coins, and imported halvah, reveling in a timeless retail atmosphere that feels delightfully preserved from the mid-twentieth century.
Look behind the register counters at the vintage Pez dispenser collection and antique candy molds: the store stocks more than two thousand different varieties of sweets imported from over twenty countries across the globe.
Breathe in the intoxicating aroma of roasted nuts and dark chocolate: this family-owned gem has remained in the hands of the Cohen family for three generations, stubbornly resisting gentrification. Generations of grateful sweet tooths have savored the friendly banter and boundless candy jars of this neighborhood treasure.
Walk south on Essex Street to explore the historic stalls and modern culinary buzz of Essex Market.