Meet Eugene J., an experimental confectioner with an extraordinary talent for crafting delectable candies. A chemical engineering graduate of the Cooper Union, Eugene initially delved into the world of research and development after completing his degree. However, fueled by an undeniable passion for the artistry of confectionery, he decided to pivot his career, transitioning from chemical reactions in a lab to the alchemy of flavors in the kitchen.
"Eugene J. Candy Co. is a candy shop located in Bushwick, New York City, run by Eugene J. since 2016. The shop has a Halloween theme and is known for its unique handmade candies, such as chocolate-covered cereals and coated Gushers. Eugene, who has a background in chemical engineering and DIY punk bands, creates candies that are labor-intensive and shares the process on Instagram. His shop is influenced by his experiences in Berlin and New York, and it aims to bring back the magic of candy to customers." - Bettina Makalintal
"It’s Halloween 365 days a year inside this Bushwick candy shop with quirky, homemade confections. No inch is undecorated, and a spider web of black and orange crepe spans the ceiling, corner to corner. Owner Eugene crafts candy in a workspace behind the shop—like his customer-favorite Freaks, a homegrown version of Nerds, flavored with citrus essential oils. All the bulk candy here is $16 per pound, and you should pay special attention to the tubs bearing a wax seal, which are the ones Eugene makes on the premises. We especially love the textural rollercoaster of his chocolate-covered Nerds Gummy Clusters." - molly fitzpatrick, will hartman, willa moore
"In the middle of Bushwick stands a tiny sovereign nation, where the borders are black and orange bunting, a fanged jack-o'lantern is the coat of arms, and, most importantly, where it's always Halloween. An intricate spider web of crepe paper, and paper flowers entwined with autumn leaves spans the ceiling, corner to corner. Travel to this magical land—aka Eugene J. Candy Co.—for their quirky homemade confections. The owner, Eugene, was in engineering school when became obsessed with making his own gummy bears. Now, this Willy Wonka of Brooklyn begins his weekdays at 4am, crafting candy in a small workspace behind the shop. He’s become well known for documenting his process on TikTok—and for his customer-favorite Freaks, a homegrown version of Nerds flavored with citrus essential oils. photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff Eugene J. Candy Co. stocks an impressive variety of goodies, including wax lips, Idaho Spud bars, marshmallow cereal treats, Krispy Kreme jelly beans, and even cleaver-shaped sour cherry gummies that come in a Jason Voorhees tin. There’s also a treasury of bulk candy priced at $16 per pound, including hard-to-come-by Swedish favorites like sour skulls and Bubs ovals. But pay special attention to the tubs bearing a wax seal maker’s mark. Those sweets are Eugene’s own handiwork, made on the premises. We especially love the crisp strata of the chocolate-covered Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the textural rollercoaster that is the chocolate-covered Nerds Gummy Clusters." - Molly Fitzpatrick
"If you're looking for a wholesome, organic, real meal, you can find it all at Eugene & Co. With seasonally-tailored menus, nice brunch outdoor seating and serving food into the late hours of the night, Eugene is a favorite spot in the neighborhood. The friendly staff feels like one big family, adding warmth and fun to the whole experience. What else can you wish for?" - Ramona Todoca
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