Sweet home Chicago is about to get a little bit sweeter, following the announcement that the Windy City has been named by the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) as the permanent home for the Candy Hall of Fame Experience.
The NCSA announced in early April that the 60,000-square-foot multi-level ode to sweets will be prominently featured in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile business district at 830 N. Michigan Ave.
The attraction will guide attendees through a history of confection, well-known candy brands and their creators.
“For more than a century, Chicago has been home to some of the most iconic names in American candy, including Ferrara, Mars, Brach’s, Tootsie and Wrigley. Even Milton Hershey found his chocolate inspiration in Chicago at the 1893 World’s Fair,” said NCSA Chairman Shelly Clarey. “Establishing the Candy Hall of Fame Experience here reflects the city’s deep connection to the industry and creates a home to celebrate the people who helped build it.”
Chicago beat out New York City and Orlando, Fla, for the honor of housing the museum. “Chicago’s longstanding role in confectionery manufacturing, innovation and trade helped distinguish the city in the selection process,” NCSA said.
Candy pros at the helm
Jeff Rubin, founder and former CEO of It’Sugar and a Candy Hall of Fame inductee, will serve as CEO of the Candy Hall of Fame Experience.
The creative team includes designer Janet T Planet, who is known for her work with top brands such as Nestlé, Wonka, Disney and Marvel. David Korins, a Broadway set designer for Hamilton and Beetlejuice, was named creative director for the center.
“Candy carries joy across generations. Our goal is to give that joy a place – one that celebrates imagination, invention and the shared delight people feel when they encounter something sweet,” Planet said on LinkedIn.
Work in progress
The attraction is set to open in summer 2027, but NCSA said it will release more updates over the next year.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of the City of Chicago. Chicago is the obvious home for the Candy Hall of Fame. It’s the candy capital, full stop,” said Rubin. “Generations of companies built this industry here, and the stories behind those creations deserve to live where they began. This isn’t just a location choice; it’s a homecoming.”
