Sugarfina closes at Bethesda Row

The shelves have been becoming increasingly-bare at Sugarfina in recent days. Last evening a sign stating, "CLOSED," was taped to the front window. No clear statement that the store has closed permanently was given, nor any explanation for the closure.

What is known as of press time is that the upscale candy store chain filed for bankruptcy last week, and announced it would be closing six stores as part of the filing, according to Total Retail's Kristina Stidham. Its biggest creditor is Goldman Sachs.

Super Mario teams up with Sugarfina at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Bethesda Row candy boutique Sugarfina is featuring a limited-edition line of candy and gift products developed in partnership with Nintendo. Super Mario-inspired candies come in collectible Nintendo gift boxes, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Bento Box that plays music from Super Mario Bros. when opened.

Deluxe boxes come with an assortment of treats. And small boxes allow you to purchase individual flavors a la carte, ranging from Princess Peach Princess Pearls to Bowser Chocolate Eggs. Check out the special 8-bit graphics in the storefront window at 4808 Bethesda Avenue, or order online without leaving home.

Sugarfina opens at Bethesda Row - Store tour (Photos)

New high-end candy store Sugarfina is now open at 4808 Bethesda Avenue, and you'll definitely find sweet treats here unavailable elsewhere. From edible silver-coated rings to Dom Pérignon-infused gummy bears from Germany (in two flavors, no less), Sugarfina has unique items and gift packages for every imaginable occasion with customization options.

Hello, wedding planners:
Bling Rings are interlocking
dark chocolate rings coated
 with a thin sugar shell, and
then brushed with edible silver

Speaking of customization, you can also create your own bento box of candy. Many of these items are exclusively made for Sugarfina by top candy makers around the world. One such offering is Kyoto Blossoms from Japan, which are only available at Sugarfina.

You're awesome 

A sweet way to
recruit bridesmaids 

These are Oprah-approved,
for those swayed by that

Put together your own
package or gift set

Bubbly bears - infused
with real Dom Pérignon
champagne. "A bottle
in every batch," it says 

Brut or Rose variations

Kyoto Blossoms 

Chocolate Bacon Toffee and
Chocolate Bacon pretzels

Sugarfina installs signage on Bethesda Avenue (Photos)

Sugarfina has installed permanent signage on its future Bethesda Avenue storefront. The "candy store for adults" is aiming to open this holiday season in the former Knits, Etc. space.

Candy boutique for grown-ups headed to Bethesda Row (Photos)

Sugarfina, "a candy boutique for grownups," will open this holiday season at 4808 Bethesda Avenue. The space was just vacated by Knits, Etc. 

Despite national and local efforts to demonize sugary snacks, it appears the market for such treats is booming rather than shrinking. A similar store, also offering an international selection of sweets, just opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Sugarfina is based in Southern California, and already has a location at a sister Federal Realty property, Santana Row. In contrast to Lolli and Pops' curation of famous brands from around the world, Sugarfina touts its candies as being made exclusively for their shops by top candy makers. Many are imports from countries like Germany, Italy and Greece.

Willy Wonka is another thread in the new Bethesda candy boom. Yesterday, I compared Lolli and Pops to a small-scale version of the famous Wonka factory. Sugarfina's genesis came from a screening of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the co-founders' third date.

The company also donates some of its proceeds to a variety of charities, including KIVA and local tree-planting initiatives.