Iconic American chocolatier See’s Candies has officially opened its first Australian store at Robina Town Centre
For generations of Americans, a box of See’s Candies has been woven into the fabric of birthdays, holidays and everyday rituals – the kind of nostalgic treat picked up on the way to a family gathering or gifted to someone you love. Now, after more than a century in business, the cult Californian chocolatier has officially landed in Australia, opening its very first store at Robina Town Centre.
Founded in Los Angeles in 1921 by Charles and Mary See, the heritage confectionery brand has earned a devoted following for its traditional recipes, preservative-free chocolates and nostalgic candy-counter experience. With upwards of 200 stores across the United States, See’s Candies has expanded its horizons to open its very first Australian location on the Gold Coast.
For Australian operators Jason and Megan Banks, bringing the brand here was deeply personal.
“I actually grew up with this brand,” Megan says. “My grandmother introduced it to me.”
Megan met her Sydney-born husband Jason while studying before the pair relocated to Los Angeles, where they spent the next two decades. When the time came to move back to Australia, the couple began thinking about the American brands they would genuinely miss – and See’s Candies quickly rose to the top of the list.
“We wanted to introduce the brand kind of the same way that it was introduced to me,” Megan explains. “We wanted to make sure that it’s something Queenslanders can kind of see as their chocolate.”
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While the brand may be new to Australia, See’s Candies already has a surprisingly passionate fan base here, thanks largely to Australians discovering it while travelling in the United States or through family connections overseas.
“The common story is whoever’s going to America gets a shopping list from See’s,” Megan laughs.
The offering ranges from individually sold chocolates through to elaborate gift boxes and large assorted collections designed for celebrations and sharing.
One of the biggest drawcards is the traditional candy counter experience, where customers can hand-select individual pieces to build their own custom box. Or just have a few little treats while shopping.
The Robina store stocks the brand’s iconic assortments, soft-centre collections, truffles, brittles, cream-based lollipops and its cult-favourite Scotchmallow – a combination of caramel and marshmallow coated in dark chocolate.
Everything is made without added preservatives, using simple (and recognisable) ingredients.
“What I’ve noticed the local market is really liking is the fact that we don’t have any preservatives,” Megan says. “Everything that’s being made is being made with stuff you would find in your grocery store.”
The entire range is also gluten free, with select nut-free, soy-free and sugar-free options available.
Megan says Australians have responded particularly strongly to the brand’s darker chocolate range and softer caramel fillings, which differ from the firmer, chewier textures often found locally.
“They actually call it a butter chew instead of a caramel,” she says. “It’s not a really sticky, hard caramel – it’s a very soft, pleasing caramel.”
Beyond the chocolate itself, Megan believes the emotional connection people have with the brand is what has allowed it to endure for more than 100 years.
“It’s one of those things where the flavour hasn’t changed throughout my whole life,” she says. “They really brand themselves as the same recipe since 1921.”
Despite having only just opened, Jason and Megan are already preparing seasonal releases, rotating flavours and exclusive products for the local market, including caramel-apple Scotchmallow bars, root beer-flavoured lollipops and Victoria brittle.
For now, though, the focus remains on introducing Australians to the simple joy of See’s Candies – one chocolate at a time.
See’s Candies is now open. Head to The Directory for opening times.
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