The Hershey Co. has confirmed plans to close its Chicago Chocolate World store to focus on larger locations, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Hershey spokeswoman Anna Lingeris told the Chicago Tribune that the store, located on North Michigan Ave., will close sometime in January. An exact date has not been set.
Launched in 2005, the store was Hershey’s second Chocolate World location, preceded by the flagship in Hershey, Pa. Visitors at the Chicago store could create a custom mix of Hershey’s miniatures candies or have photos printed on a 7-oz. chocolate bar.
Hershey plans to pay greater attention to larger stores “that allow for more experiential interactions between our consumers and our beloved and iconic brands," Lingeris told the Tribune. There are other Chocolate World locations in Las Vegas, New York City, Niagara Falls, Shanghai, Singapore and Dubai.
Confectionery competition is stiff along Michigan Ave., one of Chicago’s busiest corridors. Fannie May recently remodeled its flagship location at Michigan and Wacker Drive to include seating and café-style desserts.
In 2015, Dylan’s Candy Bar opened a retail store and café in the Tribune Tower, a few blocks north of Fannie May. Ghirardelli also launched an ice cream shop and retail store in the Wrigley Building, across the street from the Tribune Tower.
Earlier this month, Sugar Factory, another confectionery café and retail outlet, opened a store in Chicago River North, two blocks west of Michigan Ave.
