Bit O’ Sweet Brings Candy For Kids And Adults To 4th Avenue

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you should head on down to 4th Avenue as soon as possible. A new confections shop called Bit O’ Sweet opened last week at 315 4th Ave, between 2nd and 3rd Streets, in what used to be half of Two Moon Art House & Cafe, and they’ve got shelves lined with something that’s bound to please everyone from gummy lovers to chocoholics.

Owner Annette Bruno may be familiar to neighbors in the southern end of the Slope — she was a partner in Cafe 474, which closed its 4th Avenue space earlier this year after the building was purchased by a developer (they’re re-locating the cafe to 570 Henry Street in Carroll Gardens, though, and will reopen as Henry’s Local in about a month). An experienced business owner, Annette says she’s also had an insatiable appetite for sweets since she was a little girl (though, if she had to pick a favorite, she’d choose licorice), which inspired her to open Bit O’ Sweet.

“Sweets always made me happy — no matter what troubles or cares I faced, the one thing that comforted and soothed me was that little something sweet,” she tells us. “I thought maybe I could provide that same feeling of pure and utter joy I felt when I had that sugar rush, to all. A place where the only dilemma would be what confection to choose and how much to get — a place that simply makes you cheerful and gives you that extra little pep in your step. I hope that’s what I’ve been able to create here with Bit O’ Sweet!”

Bit O’ Sweet offers treats for both adult’s and children’s palates, so you’ll find some typical candies — like nostalgic sweets and newer sour favorites — plus a large selection of chocolates, dried fruit and nuts, baking goods (including some vegan options), bitters, syrups, sauces, along with a selection of artisanal provisions, and a whole section dedicated to edibles made in New York.

Annette says that this 4th Avenue storefront is one she’s always admired, and when it became available, she jumped at the chance.

“It’s funny, I had walked by this location for years — always loved those window panes, so nostalgic — and thought what a great little spot that is,” she says. “When I saw it was for rent, I literally leaped for joy, called, made an appointment, and thought to myself, ‘This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.’ The next day, I walked in, took a quick look and said, ‘I’ll take it,’ and the rest as they say is history!”

She adds that it’s not just the look of the spot, but the location, that she’s excited about.

“As for the what I find promising — everything! It’s a welcoming community, there’s a sweet cafe next door, a park half a block away, and who doesn’t love sweets?!”

Annette says that there will be an ever-changing selection of goodies in the space, and notes that if there’s something a customer would like to see in stock, you should just let her know and she’ll do what she can to get that in stock.

“I’m always finding new products that I love, and since my space is small, I will always being adding new treats to the mix,” she says.

For the holidays, they will have various sized baskets that customers will be able to fill with treats of their choice and give as gifts, and Annette’s already got her eye on holiday sweets: peppermint bark, Zotter Mitzi Blue and hand-scooped chocolates, Vosges, chocolate covered candy canes, crushed candy cane marshmallows, and lots more.

When asked to pick her favorite item in the shop at the moment, it’s a tough call, as she’s personally selected every item. When pressed, though, she recommends a “to die for” key lime cookie, an artisanal Ring Ding that she says “makes you forget the classic Drake’s is no longer around,” chocolate covered blackberries, a dark chocolate and fig bar, a pumpkin sea salt caramel, and a rosemary-chocolate marshmallows (though she could go on and on, “but I think you get the picture,” she says).

Look out for upcoming Meet the Maker events — the first one will be in January, featuring a French chocolatier talking chocolate and offering samples. In addition, Bit O’ Sweet can also offer favor bags filled with confections for parties and candy buffets for events. And again, if you have any ideas for what you might like to see, stop in, say hello, and bring your suggestions!

Bit O’ Sweet is located at 315 4th Avenue, 917-640-4867. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm; closed Mondays.