Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

No Sweets at this Candy Store


By

Jen Carlson

Published Mar 13, 2009

Modified Mar 13, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Mar 13, 2009

Modified Mar 13, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

For some reason the NY Times' new Local blog recently did some leg work to find out what exactly is behind the uninviting doors of the Putnam Candy Store, located at 10 Putnam Avenue and Grand in Brooklyn. Is anyone surprised that it's not candy? Their colorful website and promise of the sweet stuff on their sign aside, the appearance doesn't exactly scream Wonka, and even councilwoman Letitia James is suspicious. She told the blog, “There’s a lot of traffic, people going in and out. I don’t know what you’d attribute that to — a lot of people buying milk, or people buying something stronger. Grand and Putnam has been a challenge since I first got elected. It’s improved greatly but we still have our challenges, and the candy store may be one of them.” Meanwhile, locals declare they would never procure their lollipops from the place, and they suspect some illegal activity as well—but the 88th precinct swears the shop is “a legitimate business as far as we know.” When the reporter knocked on the door, however, there only seemed to be some old men drinking beer, who quickly directed him to the bodega across the street.

Tagged

brooklyn

candy

Putnam Candy Store


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

Why LCD Soundsystem's 'New York, I Love You' is still the city's most honest anthem

The song continues to resonate 20 years after its release, even showing up in movies and TV to convey people’s mixed feelings toward the city.

By

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 30, 2026


Would you live on a Halloween block? These Hackensackers live for it.

A guillotine, killer clowns, clownfish: They've got it all on Clinton Place.

By

James Ramsay

Arts & Entertainment

Would you live on a Halloween block? These Hackensackers live for it.

A guillotine, killer clowns, clownfish: They've got it all on Clinton Place.

By

James Ramsay


Owl pellets and period equity: What's happening at NYC's public libraries this November

By

Alec Hamilton

How the Village Halloween Parade keeps its soul

By

Hannah Frishberg

'You Can See Everything' … as long as you go to Staten Island

By

Sonia Rao


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .