Where is it? 28 King Street, Manchester, M2 6AY.
The store currently has no telephone number and no website, let alone Facebook page and Twitter. Interesting business model. It’s as if they don’t want to be found.
As the name suggests, the products are almost all American in origin, satisfying US pop culture enthusiasts, Yankophiles, kids, big kids and diabetics-in-the-making everywhere.
What is it?
Americandy on King Street is one of three stores that have recently opened in Manchester City Centre – the others being in Exchange Square and Piccadilly.
The arrival of this brightly-lit, starred and striped American sweet shop is likely to split public opinion. Some may consider it garish and incongruous, a case of retail sore thumb, sticking out as it does in the otherwise classy, high-end environs of Manchester’s luxury shopping district.
But you could just as easily argue that, down towards the bottom end of the street, it’s not exactly brushing shoulders with Armani and DKNY – instead, it fits in quite snugly between the Charles Tyrwhitt menswear store and high street regular The Body Shop.
Who shops there?
According to Alex, one of the store’s lovely cashiers, the shop is popular with teenage boys who wend their way over following a rah splurge in Jack Wills, local office workers, families and American expats.
When I went in, there were two police officers in bright yellow fluorescents eyeing up the sweet jars, a young couple, a family with two kids, and mixed groups of friends.
If one were in any doubt of the selling power of nostalgia, a grizzly man clutching an Asda bag, who was surveying one of the shelves of wonder, turned to his shopping buddies and exclaimed in a broad Yorkshire accent, “Oh aye, yes, I remember ‘em.”
The shop also attracts its fair share of upmarket King Street clientele who are drawn in by the beguiling primary colours of the window display.
What does it sell?
More sweets that you can shake a liquorice stick at. As the name suggests, the products are almost all American in origin, satisfying US pop culture enthusiasts, Yankophiles, kids, big kids and diabetics-in-the-making everywhere.
There are not one but two pick and mix stands, Wham bars, Wonka bars, Gobstoppers, Nerds, enough M&M’s to give you an attack of hyperglycaemia, Twinkies, Lucky Charms, Pop Tarts, Hershey’s and a whole shelf of little bags of halcyon schooldays goodness – Parma Violets, Love Hearts, Fizzers, that sort of thing.
A lot of it is not cheap – a box of Pop Tarts will set you back £5 and a packet of Reese’s Puffs is £7. The most expensive item in store however, is the multipack Wonka Mixups, which retail at a whopping £20, closely followed by a giant Chupa Chups lolly at £15 – good if you want to pretend for the day you’re a Lilliputian or a Borrower, but personally I’d be tempted to put that money towards some really good cocktails instead.
One thing you can’t argue with, though, is the volume and variety on display – it’s honestly mind-boggling. And for a mere 10p you can grab yourself a (normal-sized) lolly.
Why go there?
If you love all things USA there’s bound to be something in here that excites you and fills you with a thrill of “I remember that” glee. And even if you don’t, it’s a good place to pick up some nice little stocking fillers in time for Christmas.
Best item:
Movie buffs and kids alike are sure to derive great pleasure from getting their mitts on a Wonka Bar or a packet of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, which apparently really do deliver on their advertised flavours – these include Dirt, Earthworm, Rotten Egg and Vomit.
But my personal favourite has to be a packet of peanut butter M&M’s. Having never tried any other variation on the usual peanut M&M’s, these were a revelation. Crispy chocolate coating and gooey peanut butter centre? Hell yeah.
Most questionable item:
Definitely this:
Er…
Verdict: It’s hard to tell whether sheer novelty value is enough to propel this new outfit to lasting success, but with its enviable location alongside the Christmas markets it’s sure to pick up lots of curious customers.
Traditionalists may prefer the more understated old-world charm of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe in St Ann’s Square (see here), but the sheer scale of sugary treats on offer, whether 20p or £20, is sure to tempt even the most hard-boiled critic.
Follow Alaka on Twitter @EchoingBronze
