Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Sweet! in Hollywood Brings Willy Wonka Candyland to Life

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

We're pretty sure that anyone who has watched "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" has fantasized about winning a golden ticket and being invited to the sugar-fueled "world of pure imagination." Thanks to the newly opened Sweet! at the Hollywood and Highland complex, you don't have to dream any longer.

The massive 30,000 square foot sugar shack is made up of 12 boutiques, each with a unique theme: Tinseltown includes a glam collection of famous-character candies, chocolate Walk of Fame stars, and Hollywood's coolest gifts and souvenirs; the Peace of Candy boutique carries international assortment of unique lolly flavors and packages; the Route 66 shop displays American candy history with a collection of new and vintage brands; the Stay Puft boutique is wall-to-wall marshmallows; the Yucky shop tweaks the sweetness of candy and merchandise with fun, gross-out treats; and a Shop for Spoiled Girls is a couture candy collection that offers gourmet lollipops, Hello Kitty-licensed candy and custom chocolate high-heel “shoes” in vivid prints and colors. (Veruca would love that one!)

As if all of that weren't enough fantasyland for you, there are real live (little people dressed as) Oompa Loompas. Consider this your one and only reason to brave that horrific, tourist-laden shopping center.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist