Downtown Goo Goo Shop Pauses For Upgrade to Immersive Willy Wonka-esque Chocolate Experience

Downtown Nashville’s iconic Goo Goo Shop & Dessert Bar announced this week it will close its doors on Sunday, April 25 to undergo a big (to the tune of $2 million) renovation. When it reopens (hopefully, by Labor Day weekend of this year), it’ll have a new name — Goo Goo Chocolate Co. — and all the vibes of a grown-up, immersive Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory.

When the iconic Nashville dessert brand unveils Goo Goo Chocolate Co. in September, guests can expect interactive classes, a design-your-own confection station, a full-service chocolate bar, and a retail store. The Chocolate Bar will serve premium chocolates, wine and whiskey pairings, boozy milkshakes, and a rotating selection of seasonal treats.

While the Nashville Goo Goo Shop is closed for renovations, Goo Goo Cluster will be taking its show on the road, bringing interactive classes, pop-up events, and a roving Candy Van to chocolate lovers around Middle Tennessee all summer long. More information about the upcoming summer pop-up events and Candy Van locations will be added throughout the summer online.

Goo Goo Cluster has produced America’s first combination candy bar for more than 100 years. In 1912 the combination bar was invented in a copper kettle at Nashville’s Standard Candy Company. It was a round collaboration of caramel, creamy marshmallow nougat, and fresh roasted peanuts, blanketed with milk chocolate. Additional products have been added to the lineup throughout the years, including Pecan, Peanut Butter, Lil’ Goos and chef-curated Premium Goo Goos.

While the transformation causes the shop to close for a few months, Goo Goo Cluster chocolates, treats, Design Your Own Premium Goo Goo, apparel and other merchandise are available online, with nationwide shipping available.

Goo Goo [All ENASH coverage]