When faced with the tantalizing decision between a box of Frosted Flakes or Cinnamon Toast Crunch, the struggle of choosing just one cereal flavor is all too familiar. The good news for cereal aficionados is that now, they won’t have to choose. A new cereal bar + treat shop, Cereal Dreams, is open at The Co-Lab at 57 South Orange Avenue in South Orange. Anne Mandell is the owner of the cereal candy store, which provides all-you-can-eat cereal buffets that she says brings out the kid in everyone. Read on to learn more about Cereal Dreams in South Orange, New Jersey.
Meet the Cereal Lover
The visionary behind Cereal Dreams is Anne Mandell, a long-time Maplewood resident with over two decades of experience in advertising and marketing. For Anne, cereal is not just a meal, it’s a source of joy, comfort, and fond memories. Her passion for cereal took center stage when she was pregnant with her oldest child, craving the comforting taste of her childhood favorites like Apple Jacks, Cap’n Crunch Berries, and Cookie Crisp. The idea of Cereal Dreams emerged when Anne envisioned a place where she could enjoy her favorite cereals without cluttering her kitchen with multiple boxes.
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“I have always been obsessed with cereal, and I know a lot of other people are too,” Anne said. “For cereal lovers, it’s a dream come true to have access to so many cereals at once. Cereal Dreams is also my dream come true by having my own business where I can use my talents and creativity to make people happy and bring this dream to life.”
The shop aims to recreate the excitement of strolling through the supermarket cereal aisle, providing cereal buffets and treats for all occasions.
“I hope customers’ interactions with Cereal Dreams provide happiness, nostalgia, comfort, and fun when they visit my shop,” Anne said.
The Cereal Dreams Experience
Cereal Dreams is a cereal + treat shop open at The Co-Lab, an innovative, small business incubator co-retail space at 57 South Orange Avenue in South Orange, right next door to the Kitchen a la Mode. Cereal Dreams is not a typical cereal experience. As a licensed Cottage Food Operator in Maplewood, New Jersey, the shop goes beyond the traditional bowl of cereal with all-you-can-eat buffets. The goal is simple: customers create their bowls of cereal, indulging in childhood favorites and discovering new flavors.
The ambiance is designed to transport customers back to the carefree days of childhood, with vibrant displays of colorful cereals and treats to “create a fun and festive environment,” according to Anne. The cereal bar customization offers 25 cereals to choose from to mix and match. The buffet also allows customization to accommodate dietary preferences such as gluten-free, kosher, or vegan options. Some highlights from the menu include Blueberry Cheerios, Chocolate Lucky Charms, French Toast Crunch, Froot Loops, and the ever-popular Cap’n Crunch Berries.
The shop also has gourmet cereal treat bars (similar to a Rice Krispie treat) to fit any theme or occasion. While classic brown butter Rice Krispie treats are a staple, the shop takes it a step further by incorporating cereals like Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Golden Grahams into its treats. Menu highlights include the rainbow Rice Krispie treat and the Cocoa Pebbles whoopie pies, which have quickly become customer favorites, according to Anne.
For parties or events, customers can customize their own gourmet cereal bar treats and partake in cereal buffets. The cereal buffets include 18 kinds of cereal in self-serve dispensers with a selection of fruit and candy toppings, dairy and dairy-free milks in decorative glass containers, and disposable bowls and spoons. For decorating the gourmet cereal treats, color dye and frosting are available to customize the treat the way a customer envisions it. The full run-down for booking parties and events at Cereal Dreams can be found on its website.
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If build-your-own cereal treats aren’t ideal, Cereal Dreams will customize homemade cereal treats for customers for holidays and occasions. Some of its customization options include brand or school logos, holiday-themed (think Rice Krispie treats shaped as a heart and decorated in pink and red dye), as well as birthday party themes.
While the official grand opening ceremony for Cereal Dreams is on February 3rd, the shop is already open at 57 South Orange Avenue at the Co-Lab in South Orange.
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