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Do the snozzberries taste like snozzberries?
You can find that out and more at the world's only Wonka candy store inside the world's largest Toys R Us toy store in New York City's Times Square. With candies dangling from the rafters and bulk-candy bins housed inside mushroom-shaped tables, the Wonka candy store is like the movie and iconic book by Roald Dahl come to life -- a world of pure imagination.
"This is the only place on the planet that you can find everything Wonka makes," spokeswoman Tricia Bowles told Slashfood at the store's grand opening.
In addition to the fantastical set and larger-than-life boxes of Nerds candies, customers can find everything from sluggie gummies to the new Wonka line of chocolate bars -- Wonka Execeptionals, one of which is named the Scrumdiddlyumptious Chocolate Bar, appealing to fans of the film and chocolate lovers alike.
The store sells all 12 brands of Wonka candy, including classics like Nerds, Sweetarts, Spree and Everlasting Gobstoppers.
"I really think Wonka has done an amazing thing by partnering with Toys R Us," Bowles told Slashfood. "When you look at the state of the economy and understand Wonka is escape and pure imagination ... it really makes sense."
While walking under the 21-foot tree of pixy stix and kazoozles, customers are tempted with the scent of chocolate being piped into the air. The Wonka store sits right before the Toys R Us exit, so every customer will have to pass by.
"The shock and awe of it is what makes it a special brand," Bowles said. "It really comes out of the imagination and what Wonka stands for."
The Wonka store has partnered with Toys R Us for five years, Bowles said.
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JODI ARIAS WANTS LIFE
9-26-2010 @6:50AM qsfoxx said... What? A Wonka candy store that derives its name from a third rate, screwball movie made for children? What's next? A Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang used car lot? Or, perhaps, a Mary Poppins popcorn franchise. lol Dumb - dumb - dumb!
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9-26-2010 @6:56AM Cathy said... Actually, it originally derives its name from the book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl.
9-26-2010 @8:33AM alfredschrader said... My family is from Bavaria, Germany. My uncle Henry was the real Wonka of soft drinks. Going to his estate in Coral Gables, Florida as a boy was unbelievable. I'm the Willy Wonka of food & yes, no one is allowed into the inventing area, only by invitation. I had plans at one time to open a Chocolate Factory tour (for all ages) where everything is edible ( like in the film only better) & I was going to include a very special soft drink area ( ever seen a giant flower that dispenses rose flavored soda ?). But, I don't have time for it...Al-
9-26-2010 @10:03AM Rich said... If you cannot enjoy a movie like Charlie and tthe Chocolate Factory it's kinda sad and it sounds like the inner child in you might be dead or down for the count. Lighten up a bit and try to revive your inner child, it'll surely help your health. Sadly most of the Toys R Us stores around here are gone. But that wasn't before they switched from selling lots of cool toys that even adults could enjoy to HUGE CHEAP PLASTIC BABY TOYS, cheap bicycles, and other crap like that. It was really a shame....and yes, I remember when it was Bargain Town.
9-26-2010 @10:18AM Lisa said... WOW QSFOXX YOU ARE A MISERABLE SAP OF SHYT AREN'T YOU.....
9-26-2010 @6:52AM qsfoxx said... I'm sure that the Wonka brand will fulfill its role in promoting childhood obesity.
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9-26-2010 @10:22AM lisa said... Hey kids can't buy it or even get there for that matter unless without the help of their parents! Stop pointing blame at everyone else. The only people to blame for fat kids are lazy parents!!!!!l
9-26-2010 @9:43AM bellagrlxitalia@aol.com said... I love it.. I wish they had more pics... parents need to teach their kids control... its not the fault that food tastes good and is fun... its the parents... just like in willy wonka!
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9-26-2010 @8:04AM Caroline said... Ack! So many negative comments! Why can't people just smile and keep the harsh words to themselves? It's a candy store, all you Negative Nellies.
I'm surprised this is the first store, though. Although I'm not a huge fan of all the types of candy they sell, I think I would go just to see it!
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9-26-2010 @8:47AM John said... Why in the heck should an awesome store be correlated with obesity? Just because you go into the store doesn't mean you have to purchase anything or that you have to buy tons of the stuff either. Why can't people have fun and not associate it with negative imagery? As a male athlete weighing 140 pounds with extremely good blood work, I will be straight up and tell you that I indulge in unhealthy food a few times throughout the week and never gain any weight or have anything bad happen. You extreme health nuts out there are probably the same idiots who go through life terrified of enjoying anything when in reality a car could crash into you and kill you quickly. Learn moderation and exercise, and you'll be fine!
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9-26-2010 @9:22AM Stephen said... One thing they didn't make clear.......WHICH movie are they basing the layout of the store on??.......I'm guessing it's Tim Burton's....:((
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9-26-2010 @6:14PM Kimberly said... I think it's the original movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This candy was around way before Tim Burton's movie. And the names they are using are from the original movie also. I would love to see the store, I think it would be magical!
9-26-2010 @9:22AM seriously.. said... are you kidding me?? How exactly is it the responsibility of the food industry to monitor obesity, childhood or otherwise?? When did a business start parenting children?? Geez, that comment is pure stupid....you have a brain of your own, there is information available to educate yourself about nutrition, and if you don't want to eat something.....friggin' DON'T!! I loved the book as a child, my own child loves it too, and we've watched the movie(original is better!). I always wondered why they didn't have a store, and now that they do I would love to stop by!! It looks like a lot of fun!!
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9-26-2010 @10:05AM Rich said... ARE THEY GOING TO GIVE AWAY GOLDEN TICKETS??? HAHAHAHAHA!
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9-26-2010 @7:59PM Big Red said... Can't wait to see the store. For all the health nuts, get a life and don't be so cranky. Control your own cravings and your kids and stop being so critical of everyone who doesn't think like you. Have a big old chocolate bar - that will help you attitude and you'll find the world did not stop turning because you ate a chocolate bar!!
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9-26-2010 @11:48AM Therese said... I am sick to death of constantly hearing how this and that promotes childhood obesity. What promotes childhood obesity is kids not going outside to play but staying inside on the video game systems that they have become slaves to. My children play baseball, football, basketball, cheerlead, and swim, and are better for it. The occasional candy, and some of it is Wonka which is delicious, does not hurt a child if they are getting the proper exercise. If your child is not sports-inclined, send them out to play tag. Any exercise is better than none.
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9-26-2010 @2:59PM Daz said... Qsfoxx... I would suggest you review the movie and see how it is really NOT a movie for children. listen to the words and songs... hollywood has of course tamed down the meaning so it is a story for children.. but it's pure genius work.. if you cannot see the beauty in the art... then that's your loss due to a closed mind
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9-26-2010 @2:35PM jenny said... why do the greatest things ever always happen in places i will never go. we need a wonka store in missouri or illinois i love that movie both versions but i perfer tim burtons but seriously we need one down here
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9-26-2010 @7:20PM mark said... i'm a junkie...sweetarts, spree, bottle caps, and gobstoppers. i love'em all.
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9-27-2010 @9:00AM eirn said... so cool.. i think this store should have a chocolate river and you should be waited on by oompa loompas
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