Trump tariffs sour opening of NYC candy store by Zabar scion: ‘I’m eating the cost’

New York Post - May 14th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Sasha Zabar, part of the famed Zabar family, is opening Glace Candy, a new global candy store, on the Upper East Side of New York City. The store's launch has been complicated by the uncertainty surrounding President Trump's tariffs, which have led to increased costs and logistical challenges. Zabar has been forced to adapt by air freighting candy, which tripled his costs, and exploring new packaging options outside China due to the tariff situation. Despite these challenges, Zabar has kept his candy prices competitive with other high-end stores, like Bon Bon and Dylan's Candy Bar.

The tariffs have added a layer of complexity to an already challenging market, with rising costs due to avian flu and drought affecting ingredients like eggs and cacao. Zabar has managed to maintain price parity by absorbing these additional costs rather than passing them onto consumers. This business decision highlights broader issues faced by entrepreneurs in the current economic climate, where international trade policies and natural events can drastically impact operations and profitability. Glace Candy and its attached ice cream shop are designed to offer a premium but accessible experience, with unique offerings inspired by Zabar's childhood favorites.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an insightful look into how tariffs and economic factors affect a small business, specifically Glace Candy. It is timely and relevant, offering a clear narrative that is easy to read and understand. However, the article's reliance on a single perspective limits its balance and source quality, as it does not incorporate a broader range of viewpoints or external data. While it effectively engages readers with a compelling story, its impact and public interest could be enhanced by exploring the issue more broadly. Overall, the article succeeds in shedding light on the challenges faced by small businesses due to tariffs but could benefit from a more comprehensive approach to reporting.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a coherent narrative about the impact of tariffs on a new candy store, Glace Candy, by Sasha Zabar. It accurately reflects the challenges posed by tariffs and other economic factors, such as natural disasters affecting supply chains. The claim that tariffs caused uncertainty and increased costs, particularly through the need for air freight, aligns with known effects of tariffs on international trade. However, the story could be more precise by providing specific data or sources supporting these claims. For example, it mentions that tariffs tripled shipping costs but does not provide detailed evidence or figures to substantiate this. Additionally, the story's mention of sourcing candies from various countries like Sweden and Japan is plausible but lacks citation or verification from external sources.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Sasha Zabar, focusing on the difficulties faced by his business due to tariffs. While it provides a detailed account of his challenges, it lacks viewpoints from other business owners or industry experts who might offer a broader perspective on how tariffs are impacting similar businesses. This narrow focus can lead to an impression of bias towards Zabar's experiences without considering other potential experiences or opinions that could provide a more balanced view. Including insights from economic analysts or other entrepreneurs could enhance the balance of the reporting.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the narrative of how tariffs have impacted Glace Candy. The language is accessible, and the tone is neutral, making it easy for readers to follow the story. Specific examples, such as the decision to air freight candy and the comparison of pricing with competitors, help illustrate the points being made. However, the inclusion of more detailed data or figures could enhance clarity by providing concrete evidence to support the narrative.

5
Source quality

The story relies heavily on direct quotes from Sasha Zabar, which provides a personal and detailed account of his experiences. However, it lacks a diversity of sources that could lend greater credibility and depth to the article. The absence of external sources or expert opinions means that the story is largely anecdotal, which might limit its reliability. Incorporating data or commentary from economic experts or industry reports would strengthen the article's source quality by offering a more comprehensive view of the situation.

6
Transparency

The article does a fair job of explaining the context of the challenges faced by Glace Candy, such as the impact of tariffs and natural disasters. However, it could improve transparency by detailing the methodology behind some of the claims, such as how shipping costs were calculated or how tariffs specifically affected pricing. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest, which, although not necessarily present, should be addressed to maintain transparency. More explicit explanations of these factors would help readers understand the basis of the article's claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.chron.com/living/article/trump-s-tariffs-hit-a-sour-note-in-landmark-nyc-20261343.php
  2. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/iconic-lower-east-side-candy-shop-prepares-for-tariff-impacts/6217748/