The Candy Store

The infamous Candy Store was a massively-popular beach joint known for its wet T-shirt, Teenie Weenie Bikini, belly flop and beer guzzling contests (and other slothful student activities from the Spring Break years). Bobby Vannuchi opened the place in 1977 (its beloved beach predecessor, The Button, opened in 1970). The Candy Store raged on through the the 80s, but the writing was on the wall when local commissioners had finally had enough of the antics at the bar, as well as the hit Ft. Lauderdale's image was taking. In 1987, over a dozen college students died during Florida's spring break from alcohol and drug-related incidents. Right or wrong, the Candy Store was emblematic of all the city of Ft. Lauderdale was trying to get rid of, which led to its eventual closing in 1989.