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Rivington Street's Economy Candy is pure over-the-top New York, a font of variety and abundance that would leave Willy Wonka weeping in his cocoa. Jerry Cohen owns this sweet shop, a Lower East Side landmark since 1937. The floor-to-very-high-ceiling shelves—check out the antique gum machines hanging from the walls—are overflowing with proletarian sweets like Gummi Bears (and worms and fish and other chewy creatures. Then there’s the high-end stuff you’d never waste on the kids, like Scharffen Berger chocolate and tough-to-find European brands like Odense. And trick-or-treaters get complimentary goodies on Halloween. The only catch—you have to be a kid. Augustus Gloop never had it so good. — Chris Bonanos

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Best of New York Awards

• Best Candy (2003)