ORLANDO, Fla. – There are many teeth at Gatorland and a new shop will satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.
On Tuesday, the park announced the opening of Sweet Tooth’s Candy Store. The $1.8 million specialty candy store features more than 60 varieties of specially crafted chocolates, confections and specialty candies, hand-scooped Hershey’s brand churned ice cream, chocolate-dipped fruits, giant lollipops and bottled drinks.
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“This shop has been three years in planning and development as we traveled back through our 75-year history to recreate those special memories of family vacations through the country,” Mark McHugh, Gatorland’s president and CEO, said in a news release. “I’m especially excited to see children with wide eyes as they explore our delicious selection of chocolates, candies, and ice cream. Bubba and Skunk Ape have already chosen Caramel Twist Ice Cream, Strawberry Shortcake Macaron Cookies, and Cookies and Cream Truffles as their personal favorites.”
To capture that perfect candy store vibe with Florida charm, the “Alligator Capital of the World” partnered with Virginia-based Nancy’s Candy Company, Atlanta’s Macaron Queen, and Minnesota-based Abdallah Candies. According to a news release, Gatorland wanted to spotlight family-run chocolate and candy businesses that share the same family values as Gatorland’s owners the Godwin family.
Designed by Anthony Lepore Architect and built by Bison Construction of Orlando 1,700-square-foot store located near the middle of the park’s main walkway is hard to miss with its brightly colored exterior the park says is “a step back in time as it replicates a country storefront with nostalgic displays that bring back warm memories of childhood trips to farmland candy stores.”
Sweet Tooth’s Candy Store is also the location of Gatorland’s brand-new family restrooms in the park.
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