What You Need to Know
The National Confectionery Sales Association announced that Chicago has been selected for the permanent home of the Candy Hall of Fame Experience, a 60,000 square foot multi-level destination coming to 830 N. Michigan Avenue along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The location was selected following a national evaluation that came down to Chicago, Orlando and New York City. Chicago’s longstanding role in confectionery manufacturing, innovation and trade helped distinguish the city in the selection process. NCSA Chairman Shelly Clarey said 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, and even Milton Hershey found his chocolate inspiration in Chicago at the 1893 World’s Fair.
The Candy Hall of Fame Experience will be a permanent attraction bringing together the history of the confectionery industry, the development of well-known candy brands and the innovators and entrepreneurs behind them. NCSA partnered with Jeff Rubin, a Candy Hall of Fame inductee and former founder and CEO of IT’SUGAR to develop the experience. Rubin has assembled a creative team that includes experience designer Janet T. Planet, whose work has supported brands such as Nestlé, Wonka, Disney and Marvel, and David Korins, a Broadway set designer known for productions including Hamilton and Beetlejuice who will serve as creative director for the project. The Candy Hall of Fame Experience is scheduled to open in summer 2027 with additional details expected to be announced as the project progresses.
