Economy Candy Celebrates 85 Years with Block Party Tomorrow
Economy Candy this year celebrates a big birthday, and it’s joining a host of local businesses and candy brands to fete itself.
The iconic candy shop returned from its pandemic slumber in the fall of 2021, along with a store reconfiguration. And now, at 85-years-old, throwing a huge block party tomorrow.
Expect to see penny candy cart stationed outside of our shop where candy will actually cost 1¢, free pickles from The Pickle Guys and limited edition anniversary merch
Highlights include the following, not to mention a host of candy giveaways.
- A penny candy cart at the front door with treats priced at one cent.
- Limited edition, sweet cream cheese spread courtesy of Kossar’s.
- Exclusive Economy Candy related pastries sold via Partybus Bakeshop and Supermoon Bakery.
- Mikey Likes It ice cream stand.
- Rivington Street neighbors Restocked NYC, Edith Machinist, and El Castillo will also be taking their operations to the sidewalk to celebrate
- Economy Candy inspired cocktails from Serafina LES, Verlaine, Welcome to the Johnson’s, and Pretty Ricky’s.
Photo: Economy Candy
Eighty-five is a big one. Indeed, the sweets shop entered life on the Lower East Side in 1937 around the corner on Essex Street. Its original function was a discount shoe shop, yet the candy stand became the biggest draw for the small business. Especially since fashion purchases weren’t number one for those most affected by the Depression years. So, founder Morris “Moishe” Cohen, who passed away over seven years ago at age 92, pivoted the company into a sweets shop.
Economy Candy eventually moved to the current spot in 1985. Its predecessor here was Saperstein’s, a sweets and appetizing store that opened here in 1903, and also survived eight decades.
However, the last couple of years have been difficult for the neighborhood favorite. During the pandemic, Economy Candy relied on CandyCare Packs and curbside exclusive Mystery Bags to survive the darker moments. These days, though, bestsellers include Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, classic Penny Candy and the latest TikToK craze candies like Ju-C Jelly Fruits, Slime Lickers and Planet Gummies.
Photo: Economy Candy
Recent Stories
Excavation Underway on Affordable Grand Street Guild Towers
Work is officially underway on two new towers adjacent to the Williamsburg Bridge. On-site excavation has been ongoing for several weeks at Broome and Clinton Streets, yielding plenty of dust and noise for neighbors. Earlier this year, demolition crews razed the two-story parking garage and Little Star early childhood center in the shadow of the […]
Mr. Fong’s Owner Plans All Day Cafe on Hester Street
Another day, another principal of Mr. Fong’s starting a new Lower East Side venture. Aisa Shelley – who co-founded the Chinatown hotspot with Lucas Moran, Noah Shelley, Daniel Eric Gold and Adam Moonves – is headed to 61 Hester Street. The long-inactive storefront previously occupied by L’estudio. There, Shelley will impart an “all day cafe” […]
Truck Hits ‘OhK Dog’ Dining Shed on Ludlow Street
Ludlow Street neighbors began Saturday with the sound of a large crash. It was the sound of the OhK Dog dining shed collapsing to the ground. From what we gather, a truck driver headed southbound on Ludlow struck the popular restaurant’s outdoor annex. No one was hurt in the incident. This was apparently the second […]
New 21-Story Tower Begins Ascent on Market Street
A former Lower East Side parking lot is meeting its skyscraping destiny. Another tower. The through-block parcel on Henry Street, just west of Market, is already on its upward ascent. The new mixed-use development at 59 Henry will ultimately rise 21 stories (227 feet), with 57,395 square-feet of residential floor area and 40,305 square-feet for […]
‘Caribea’ Grill Readies Space Left Vacant by Domino’s on Allen Street
Ever since Domino’s ditched its decades-old Allen Street location three years ago, the commercial space has been a vacancy consistently peddled on the market. Now, a new concept is a-knockin. Caribea is as it sounds – a fast casual pan-Caribbean grill. The restaurant at 203 Allen will seat fourteen tables and a stand-up bar, for […]
