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IT’SUGAR (pronounced "it's sugar") is an American candy store chain. They have over 100 locations in the United States and Canada, mostly located in shopping malls and tourist areas.
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Confectionary |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Jeff Rubin |
| Headquarters | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Number of locations | 116 |
| Area served | United States of America, Canada |
| Parent | BBX Capital Corporation |
| Website | https://itsugar.com/ |
History
Jeff Rubin worked on Wall Street before returning home to the Midwest to help his family business in 1994.
Rubin founded his store and opened its first location in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 2005 and he still serves as the CEO of the brand after BBX Capital bought his brand in June 2017 for $57 million. His inspiration came from FAO Schwarz and Toys R Us stores. He included novelty items when the stores and brand expanded across the country. They adopted the "Absolutely No Nutritional Value" slogan and included large items in stock.
In 2019, IT'SUGAR opened its largest store at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The store is three stories tall and has more than 10,000 types of candy, as well as having a candy replica of the Statue of Liberty made from 1.5 million jellybeans.
In 2020, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to multiple factors including lack of ingredients from its providers and brands featured, low sales, and the COVID-19 pandemic but they shortly emerged.
In 2022, another location was opened in Chicago on Magnificent Mile which is 2,000 square feet. Also, a 2-story, 20,335 square foot building in Times Square, the second largest in the United States, opened in August of 2022. Later the first Canada location was opened, as a "candy department store" in the West Edmonton Mall.
In 2023, they opened locations in Bellis Fair, The Centre at Salisbury, and another in Miami in 2024.
Partnerships
With the company's largest location in the American Dream, IT'SUGAR partnered with Mondelez International to open an in-store café on the third floor, named Oreo TWISTiD.
References
- ^ Wilson, Marianne. "Q&A with It'Sugar's Jeff Rubin: The King of Sweets". Chain Store Age. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- "IT'SUGAR CEO Jeff Rubin to transition from CEO to chairman | Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery". www.snackandbakery.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- confectionerynews.com (2017-06-21). "BBX Capital acquires specialty candy retailer It's Sugar for $57m". confectionerynews.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- ^ NJ.com, Brianna Kudisch | NJ Advance Media for (2019-12-14). "IT'SUGAR officially opens at American Dream, and it's massively sweet". nj. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- Bloomberg News (2020-09-23). "Candy Seller It'Sugar Files Bankruptcy After Pandemic Sales Drop – BNN Bloomberg". BNN. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- Barack, Meredith (2022-04-07). "Sweet treats at the new IT'SUGAR store on the Mag Mile – CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- "IT'SUGAR opens candy department store on Chicago's Magnificent Mile | Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery". www.snackandbakery.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- Roman, Isabella (2022-08-11). "IT'SUGAR opens new two-story flagship in Times Square | amNewYork". www.amny.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- Toneguzzi, Mario (2022-08-24). "Candy Department Store Concept IT'SUGAR Expands into Canada with Plans for Multiple Locations [Interview]". Retail Insider. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- Petree, Rob (2023-10-18). "IT'SUGAR candy store to open up shop at the Salisbury mall". 47abc. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- Lee, Katie (2024-04-16). "IT'SUGAR Opens Newly Expanded Flagship Store in Miami". Retail & Restaurant Facility Business. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- Ashlye, Smith (November 7, 2023). "It'Sugar, a national candy store opens first Washington shop". The Bellingham Herald. Retrieved May 18, 2024.