DYLAN'S CANDY BAR
630 Old Country Road, Garden City (516) 877-7060
Looking for a hard-to-find nostalgic candy bar or Skittles sold individually by flavor? For these unique treats and more, Dylan's Candy Bar is the place.
Dylan's is owned by Ralph Lauren's daughter, Dylan Lauren. The store, which has three other locations, opened in June 2003. It caters to people who want their tastes, no matter how specific, satisfied.
"Hershey's and our store are the only two retailers that sell the Hershey Kisses individually by color," says Allison Krakoff, the store's general manager.
Dylan's also exclusively sells M&Ms individually by color and occasion (messages like "It's a boy" can be printed on the candies), Skittles individually in unique flavors like strawberry-watermelon and kiwi-lime, and a large assortment of nostalgic candies, such as BBats and Abba-zaba bars.
While adults might be attracted to this trendy shop for a capuccino or some nostalgic candy, there's a lot for children there too. The store has a party room for birthday parties, and even rents out the whole store for this purpose.
Dylan's deals a lot with big vendors like Hershey's and Mars, but also keeps a local feel to business. The chocolate covered pretzel rods and potato chips the store sells are made right on the Island. "A lot of our vendors are local vendors that we've used out of friendships that they have with Dylan," says Krakoff.
At the Chocolate Lover's Binge, Krakoff plans to impress with Dylan's wide array of party favors, including chocolate booties and personalized chocolate-covered oreos. Dylan's will also conduct a chocolate-decorating activity at its table.
The store, which is located in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, is open on Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information see their website at www.dylanscandybar.com.
THE COLD STONE CREAMERY
7959 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury (516) 921-4730
It’s not just ice cream, it’s an adventure. That’s the best way to describe the experience of visiting the Cold Stone Creamery, a fine ice cream establishment, which has been located in the Woodbury Village Shopping Center for a little over a year. Delicious ice cream served in what seems like a million flavors, and a staff that works tirelessly to make your time with them special, makes a visit to the creamery very much like a trip to Disney World.
You’re immediately welcomed as you walk in the door, and then led to a Ghea (Ice Cream display freezer) by one of Cold Stone’s “Mix Masters.” First time customers learn about the freshly made ice cream and receive a sample of Cold Stone’s “Cake Batter,” the franchise’s most celebrated recipe.
Cold Stone employees go through serious training to make sure each customer has a memorable experience as well as ice cream that is out-of-this-world. Mix Masters learn scripted lines and responses that fit each customer’s personal needs. They help the first timer make their very own Cold Stone Ice Cream “creation,” or choose from one of the store’s great tasting recipes. The Mix Masters will also sing songs about ice cream to you when you put a tip in their jar.
The dining room has tables placed in a cafe setting, while upbeat music, and a bright happy ice cream theme decor make for a cheerful and appetizing atmosphere.
It may be the aura and theatrics that get you in the door, but what will keep you coming back to Cold Stone Creamery is the ice cream itself. Cold Stone makes a premium blend that creates a sweet heavenly taste, and the flavor combinations are almost endless, ranging everywhere from peanut butter to cheesecake. Every season, the creamery introduces a new flavor to the repertoire. This month Cold Stone presents a Black Cherry flavor that is guaranteed to make your belly full, and your tongue blue. To even widen the selection process, the Creamery offers 82 mix-ins for your ice cream; from homemade brownies and waffles, to all different types of nuts and sprinkles.
No matter what your favorite flavor or topping mixer is, one thing all dessert fanatics can agree on is that the Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream lover’s dream come true.
THE HICKSVILLE SWEET SHOP
75 Broadway, Hicksville 516-931-0130
First opened in 1925, the Hicksville Sweet Shop is one of the oldest establishments of its kind on Long Island. Long located on Broadway right in the heart of downtown Hicksville, the Shop has since manifested into a luncheonette that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner after the Zourous family purchased it from the primary owners back in 1967. But they stay true to the grand tradition of the original Sweet Shop not only by maintaining an old-time, mom-and-pop feel but offering the finest in homemade ice cream, available in 15 classic flavors, in addition to chocolate, cakes and whipped cream, all made fresh daily the old-fashioned way. It is a true Island landmark that has existed successfully on word of mouth alone, passed down through the generations by parents, grandparents and great-grandparents to their own kin, amended with 80 years of stories about first dates, fist fights and fun times with friends shared within its confines.
"The secret is that you gotta give your customers the best, and treat them the best," proudly proclaims owner Eva Zourous when asked about the Shop's remarkable staying power. "You gotta give them good quality, and they'll always come back."
The Hicksville Sweet Shop, located at 75 Broadway, is opened Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 9 PM, on Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM and is closed on Sundays.
HAHN'S BAKERY
75 Allen Blvd. Farmingdale (631) 249-3492
When a bakery does one thing as well as Hahn’s Old Fashion Cake Company does crumb cake, there is no need to put any other bakery items on the menu. When it comes to making crumb cake, the Hahn family has put quality ahead of all else, and because of this their baking business has not only survived, but continues to thrive at a time when so many other establishments have struggled to keep their heads above water.
Twenty years ago, Andrew A., and Regina C. Hahn created their legendary crumb cake recipes, and began what was to become the Hahn’s bakery business in their very own kitchen. Word of mouth began to spread, carrying the message of the great oven creations that Mr. and Mrs. Hahn were producing. The rest, as they say, is history.
The hottest items at Hahn’s include their signature recipe, The Old Fashion Crumb Cake, which has been called the Best Crumb Cake in New York, The Raspberry Walnut Crumb Cake, and of course the Chocolate Lover’s Crumb cake.
Andrew M. Hahn, the Chief Operating Officer is the second generation of the family business, and has taken the concept of “old fashioned” baking quality and joined it with the cutting edge business practices of the modern day. People come from all over the Island, as well as the tri-state area to treat themselves to a Hahn’s crumb cake. Due to Andrew C. taking the business onto the internet, Hahn’s Bakery creations are finding their way into the hands of crumb cake enthusiasts across the country on both a retail and wholesale level. Now every occasion and holiday can be made better by sending the gift of a Hahn’s delicious crumb cake.
Visit www.crumbcake.net to find out how to place orders and treat your friends and loved ones to “A Taste Of Old New York.”
CHOCOLICIOUS
195 Forest Ave. Locust Valley, NY 516-671-6835 & 335 S. Oyster Bay Rd. Plainview 516-681-0900
Located in the posh Locust Valley district of Nassau County, Chocolicious is one of the finest chocolatiers on the North Shore. Owner Susan Midura, who opened up shop 13 years ago, specializes in a diverse array of cocoa bean-generated sweets, including truffles, chocolate-dipped fruits including strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, said to be their most popular items, as well as what Midura describes as "unique favors"; handcrafted personalized chocolate molds for any occasion.
"We do chocolate baskets with a design on the front of them for whatever occasion it is, say a sweet 16 or a dove, and we fill it with truffles," she proudly states. "And the basket is of course edible as well. We get all sorts of requests."
Midura just recently opened up a second Chocolicious location in Plainview after discovering the town was lacking in a chocolate store, offering the same great variety of sweets that has kept their Locust Valley shop swimming in success for almost a decade and a half. Chocolicious is opened Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM and closed on Sundays. Chocolicious is located at 195 Forest Ave in Locust Valley, and its Plainview satellite branch can be found at the Plainview Shopping Center at 335 S. Oyster Bay Road.
EMILY'S CHOCOLATE STORE
204 Smithtown Blvd. Nesconset, NY (631) 265-8960
"We specialize in the artistry of chocolate," proclaims Emily Gardner, owner and proprietor of Emily's Chocolate Store located in Nesconset. "We don't just make candy. We view what we do as more of an art form than anything else."
For fourteen years, Emily's has been providing the North Shore of Suffolk County with some of the most inventive ways to eat chocolate. From roses to rabbits to houses to a veritable cornucopia of wedding and party favors of all shapes and sizes, Gardner seems to have a mold to satisfy just about any chocolate lover’s taste and style. Her most elaborate creation, however, is a 30-foot-long Cinderella coach complete with horses that Emily makes on special occasions and will be on display at this year's Chocolate Lover’s Binge. There is also a host of additional treats available at Emily's including jelly rings, nut clusters and a galaxy of gourmet delights that will surely please any eager sweet tooth. They also provide supplies for you to make your own chocolate at home, including lollipop sticks, molds, cake decorating supplies and of course unmolded chocolate in a variety of colors.
Emily's Chocolate Store is opened on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 8 PM, Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM and the rest of the week from 10 AM to 6 PM as well as by appointment for parties and events. They are located at 204 Smithtown Blvd. right in the heart of Nesconset. For more information, feel free to give them a call at 631-265-8960.