Review: 42649 Heartlake City Sweet Shop
Posted by MeganL,
Heartlake City has its share of shops, but surprisingly enough, a sweet shop hasn't been one of them! That deficiency has been corrected now with 42649 Heartlake City Sweet Shop. (To forestall the inevitable comments, I know the database calls this set Heartlake City Candy Store. But the set name on the box I received says Sweet Shop, so Sweet Shop it is).
I would expect this store to be very popular among the Friends - after all, who doesn't like sweets?
Summary
42649 Heartlake City Candy Store, 376 pieces.
£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 | 6.6p/8.0c/8.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A solid playset at a reasonable price
- Great use of colour
- Gigi's fabulous hair
- Good value for money
- Why is there a cat, and why are they scared?
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Inside the box there are five numbered bags, three instruction books and a small sticker sheet. I was looking forward to seeing the sweets, so neglected to take a picture of the sticker sheets.
Minidolls and animals
There are two minidolls and a microdoll in this set. Gigi is the sweet shop employee, and has very appropriately coloured hair for her workplace! She's wearing a striped shirt with a chunky necklace - that suitably looks to have candy on it! - with a highwaisted belt and a ruffled skirt. Her gold shoes finish her colourful ensemble. Leo is visiting the store with his little sister Alba. They're both dressed quite comfortably for a day at the store and Alba's little apron over her dress is adorable.
Pluto is the cute Friends animal in the set. We last saw Pluto in 42670 Heartlake City Apartments and shops, where they were unfortunately stranded in a tree. I'm not sure what Pluto's connection to the set is - maybe just the resident sweet shop feline? But if they are, why are they scared? I'm showing the rear view of the minidolls mostly just to show off the fabulous colouring of Gigi's hair.
The completed model
It wouldn't be a sweet shop without mascots! Actually, I'm not sure I've ever seen a sweet shop with mascots, but after seeing this set, I think this should be a requirement for every sweet shop. The mascots for this store are a partially unwrapped chocolate bar, and a wrapped candy.
The front of the sweet shop looks quite inviting and very brightly coloured. I like that there are brick built representations of the mascots above the front door. The rainbow colours of the pillars add another bright touch to the building, and I love the candy swirl used as the doorknob.
One of the featured windows shows another, smaller mascot - one for Guble Bubble! It's nice to see a larger rendition of the gum of a choice that's been featured in so many Friends sets. I love that the rainbow pillars are topped with pink balls, which are reminiscent of gumballs. Speaking of which, a gumball machine is located right outside the front door.
The other side of the store boasts a very large wrapped lollipop.
The rear view shows details of three distinct portions of the store. The sections can be detached, allowing for the play space to be broadened. The centre of the store features chocolate and rock candy on display, as well as a table with a basket available for the Friends to shop.
On one side is the sweets kitchen, where Gigi can make some of the wares of the shop. Close at hand are a cooking pot, syrups for ingredients, and a scale to measure the final product. Scissors are also available, though I'm not familiar with their use in candy making.
The other side is the pick 'n' mix section, with two trowels. Chocolate bars, nut bars and bubblegum are available in the first rack - behind that are compartments with more bulk candy. The Friends have quite the selection to choose from!
Of course, Friends aren't the only ones interested in sweets.
(Note: sweet seeking sloths not included in this set.)
Overall thoughts
I always enjoy sets in the $30 range, as I'm always interested to see what the designers can pack into a more budget priced sets. This provides a very solid play experience and I like that there are three minidolls included, and I'm in love with Gigi's fabulous hair. The mascots are really fun, and I enjoy how the designer has incorporated colour throughout the set so that even without stickers, it would be very clear that this is a sweet shop.
Contrary to many other Friends sets this year, this is quite reasonably priced, and would be even more so if it was on sale. This is a solid choice as a gift for a young Friends fan.
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41 comments on this article
Scissors or shears are often used when making hard candy. They will stretch the candy into long ribbons while it's still in a malleable state and then cut it into smaller sections.
I'm sure there's other ways scissors are used in candy making as well!
That cat isn't scared. It's on some kind of substance or other.
I got this a while back when it was on discount just for the amount of colours and that hair really looks like a tasty boiled sweet!
I don't care about the set whatsoever, but I must have that hair piece! That's a recolor of Izzie's hair, right?
So are the mascots people in costume? Statues? Living beings?
The fact that Friends can easily just flip-flop from promoting organic grocery shopping to opening up a candy store is actually wild
I read the title too quickly as Heartlake City Sweat Shop. Thankfully, they aren't making sneakers or phones. Candy Store might be better.
Isn't the cat mesmerized rather than scared?
The mascots definitely don't look like they have people inside. So this is some sort of candy-induced hallucination or a FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDYS type killer robot situation.
I'm going with hallucination. Heartlake seems like the kind of town that would legalize psychadelics.
I'm so glad it's not the Heartlake City Sweat Shop
Candy store - NA English
Sweet shop - EU English
Throwback to Lego in the 70s
@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"The fact that Friends can easily just flip-flop from promoting organic grocery shopping to opening up a candy store is actually wild"
Perhaps it's organic candy, with only natural food coloring and fair trade sugar & chocolate.
As silly as it is to buy a set for one piece, that pink hairpiece caught my attention. If I ever see a deal on this set, I may get it for the parts.
One of my favorite sets of 2025! Its not perfect by any means, but for avid builder like me I LOVED to use those pieces to make my own, propper shop.
I urgently need some chocolate now!
The cat is obviously scared of the 2 mascots.
My own kids wont go near anyone in a costume either!
Has the cat just been called "they" instead of "it"?
@sotwuser said:
"Candy store - NA English
Sweet shop - EU English
Throwback to Lego in the 70s"
I've never heard of EU English before!
@CCC said:
" @sotwuser said:
"Candy store - NA English
Sweet shop - EU English
Throwback to Lego in the 70s"
I've never heard of EU English before!"
It's Expanded Universe English, from the old Star Wars comics
Mascots are definitely a thing in the Friends line-up this year. The upcoming 42674 Comic/Game Shop and 42653 Music Store also have them.
@CCC said:
" @sotwuser said:
"Candy store - NA English
Sweet shop - EU English
Throwback to Lego in the 70s"
I've never heard of EU English before!"
It's mainly used in in the EU parliament. Has some quirks, you can google it.
Wouldn't the proper BE be "SweetS Shop"?
@Father_Nathan said:
"Has the cat just been called "they" instead of "it"?"
That's what I was thinking too.
When I read the con
"Why is there a cat, and why are they scared?"
I thought, what's the mistake, shouldn't it be "why are there cats, and why are they scared".
But apparently it's a trend these days to write "they" instead of he/she/it.
At first I thought the "they" was referring to the kids, as they might indeed be scared by that cat and it's slightly mad/deranged/insane look.
It's highly confusing to read, especially to a non-native speaker like myself. Because you always ask yourself what was meant and if it's a mistake or on purpose. Really annoying, and especially in this case unnecessary too, since it's a cat. A cat has always been "it" in my experience, just like any animal actually.
@AustinPowers said:
" @Father_Nathan said:
"Has the cat just been called "they" instead of "it"?"
That's what I was thinking too.
When I read the con
"Why is there a cat, and why are they scared?"
I thought, what's the mistake, shouldn't it be "why are there cats, and why are they scared".
But apparently it's a trend these days to write "they" instead of he/she/it.
At first I thought the "they" was referring to the kids, as they might indeed be scared by that cat and it's slightly mad/deranged/insane look.
It's highly confusing to read, especially to a non-native speaker like myself. Because you always ask yourself what was meant and if it's a mistake or on purpose. Really annoying, and especially in this case unnecessary too, since it's a cat. A cat has always been "it" in my experience, just like any animal actually. "
'They' as a singular pronoun dates back to the 1300s, and doesn't seem out of place here for Pluto, who is named but is not clearly a male or female cat
@Ryangaff said:
"'They' as a singular pronoun dates back to the 1300s, and doesn't seem out of place here for Pluto, who is named but is not clearly a male or female cat"
Hence why "it" would have been the logical choice.
Otoh, the name is Pluto. That's quite easy to figure out, isn't it? Ask Pluto the dog ;-)
Also, in my almost fifty years on this planet I had never heard "they" used as a singular pronoun until recently. It may have been used in the 1300s, after all back then royalty also used to speak of themselves in the third person and other oddities, but at least in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and early 2000s I never heard or read anything like it.
The cat reminds me of Jiji from Kiki’s delivery service (Studio Ghibli). Gigi and Jiji sound also the same. Maybe a nice dedication?
@AustinPowers said:
" @Ryangaff said:
"'They' as a singular pronoun dates back to the 1300s, and doesn't seem out of place here for Pluto, who is named but is not clearly a male or female cat"
Hence why "it" would have been the logical choice.
Otoh, the name is Pluto. That's quite easy to figure out, isn't it? Ask Pluto the dog ;-)
Also, in my almost fifty years on this planet I had never heard "they" used as a singular pronoun until recently. It may have been used in the 1300s, after all back then royalty also used to speak of themselves in the third person and other oddities, but at least in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and early 2000s I never heard or read anything like it."
They as a pronoun for unknown genders is quite old and not uncommon. I'd heard it for decades, since I was small, and have similarly used it. Maybe it depends what part of a country you're in, but it's really not a strange thing. I'm guessing it's becoming more common as the number of genders has increased and it's a decent placeholder until you know, but it's also more respectful. It basically refers to a thing, rather than a living creature, and while you could call babies "it," most parents would probably not like it. Animals are rightfully being treated better as time goes on, so they is a great way to refer to Pluto here.
Names are not always a certain sex or gender. My real life name is commonly used for men and women, and probably people of other genders as well, I just haven't met any yet.
@AustinPowers said:
" @Ryangaff said:
"'They' as a singular pronoun dates back to the 1300s, and doesn't seem out of place here for Pluto, who is named but is not clearly a male or female cat"
Hence why "it" would have been the logical choice.
Otoh, the name is Pluto. That's quite easy to figure out, isn't it? Ask Pluto the dog ;-)
Also, in my almost fifty years on this planet I had never heard "they" used as a singular pronoun until recently. It may have been used in the 1300s, after all back then royalty also used to speak of themselves in the third person and other oddities, but at least in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and early 2000s I never heard or read anything like it."
Apparently it is disrespectful to call an animal an 'it', as that objectifies them as a thing rather than a being.
I think that cat should be renamed as 134340.
Why do I see a bunch of façades and not just a building?
It's a neat touch that the billboard above the front door is mirrored by the two mascots.
As creepy as they continue to be. I thought the pastry mascot was horrifying. Props to Heartlake City for taking a scary idea and making it worse.
@vizzitor said:
"That cat isn't scared. It's on some kind of substance or other."
Too much sugar. My face looks like that sometimes, too.
"[A]fter all, who doesn't like sweets?" A girl I went to church with as a kid (she was the pastor's younger daughter) didn't like chocolate. I have no idea what her opinion was on other kinds of sweets. Speaking of chocolate, I can't be the only one who saw that mascot and immediately thought of 70822.
@Eightcoins8 said:
" @CCC said:
" @sotwuser said:
"Candy store - NA English
Sweet shop - EU English
Throwback to Lego in the 70s"
I've never heard of EU English before!"
It's Expanded Universe English, from the old Star Wars comics"
Yeah, like "caf," "flimsiplast," "cigarra," and the like.
@AustinPowers said:
" @Ryangaff said:
"'They' as a singular pronoun dates back to the 1300s, and doesn't seem out of place here for Pluto, who is named but is not clearly a male or female cat"
Hence why "it" would have been the logical choice.
Otoh, the name is Pluto. That's quite easy to figure out, isn't it? Ask Pluto the dog ;-)
Also, in my almost fifty years on this planet I had never heard "they" used as a singular pronoun until recently. It may have been used in the 1300s, after all back then royalty also used to speak of themselves in the third person and other oddities, but at least in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and early 2000s I never heard or read anything like it."
In my 68 years, I have.
@Jdrewg: Well, I still have 20 years to go then ;-)
After reading through this review and comment section, I can't help wondering if the Brickset team keep Bingo cards which attempt to guess in what direction the comment section of their given review is going to evolve / devolve!
@Joce1275 said:
"After reading through this review and comment section, I can't help wondering if the Brickset team keep Bingo cards which attempt to guess in what direction the comment section of their given review is going to evolve / devolve!"
In the drawer with the booze. however, political correctness towards animals requires a new edition.
@B_Space_Man said:
"So are the mascots people in costume? Statues? Living beings?"
My exact questions. They don't seem people based on the proportions. Either statues, robots, or creatures made with magic.
@jkb said:
" @Joce1275 said:
"After reading through this review and comment section, I can't help wondering if the Brickset team keep Bingo cards which attempt to guess in what direction the comment section of their given review is going to evolve / devolve!"
In the drawer with the booze. however, political correctness towards animals requires a new edition."
Referring to someone (or something, if you're talking about an animal) as "they" is only political correctness if that someone is nonbinary and that's their chosen pronoun. In this case, the "they" is simply because the correct pronoun is unknown.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @jkb said:
" @Joce1275 said:
"After reading through this review and comment section, I can't help wondering if the Brickset team keep Bingo cards which attempt to guess in what direction the comment section of their given review is going to evolve / devolve!"
In the drawer with the booze. however, political correctness towards animals requires a new edition."
Referring to someone (or something, if you're talking about an animal) as "they" is only political correctness if that someone is nonbinary and that's their chosen pronoun. In this case, the "they" is simply because the correct pronoun is unknown."
I get that. It's just that cats and other animals legally aren't persons and thus, 'it' is a perfectly acceptable pronoun.
Another fun review!
For my part, I don't get the impression that Pluto looks scared. He's doing a cute little "blep" with his tongue, and while his eyes are open wide I think that's a pretty normal look for this sort of little black void cat! If anything, I'd interpret this look more as innocent wonderment than fear. As for his purpose in the set, I suspect it's to add an element of mischief — you certainly don't want a naive little kitten getting into the sweets, especially while you're cooking!
Gigi's hair definitely does look nice, but colorful gradient hair like this certainly doesn't make me miss LEGO Elves any less! Her cheek "sprinkles" and candy necklace also definitely fit the sweet shop theme.
The mascots are very cute, and seem to be something of a trend this year, what with 42653 and 42674 recently announced for this summer! For my part, I have definitely seen statues of candy mascots such as the red and yellow M&M in real life. Sometimes they are there just for decoration or photo ops, such as at the M&M store in New York or Hershey Park in Pennsylvania, while other times they're also a merchandising display for candy products (either in shelves/compartments built into the mascot body or in a tray held in the mascot's hands), and it's neat that the designers incorporated both styles here!
The sweet shop's design is fun and colorful, and it's neat that the hinged walls allow for different shop layouts (either on the corner of a block or in the middle facing the street). This also probably helps with display — a corner layout might fit better on a square shelf, while a wider layout might fit better against the back of a shelf or desk.
The kitchen suggests to me that rather than a big chain, this is the sort of artisanal independent candy store that carries both in-house candies and well-known brands, which I think adds to its charm — and to the play value, especially since it means the culinary-inclined Leo can be here either as a customer or as an assistant confectioner! I suspect the scissors are probably meant to represent kitchen shears for cutting soft candies like taffy into individual pieces.
The candy scoop build is one I'm not sure I ever would have thought of myself, but it's very efficient and a great fit for the little 1x1 candies. I can also imagine using a similar build for toy shovels in a beach or sandbox scene! That 1x1x2/3 dome used for the green and orange candies is also a super exciting new piece that I hope we'll see in a lot more colors in the future. Even these two colors could be great in MOCs not only for candy, but also for colorful lights or bubbles of slime/lava!
Overall the set looks like a lot of fun, and a great addition to a Heartlake City street scene (though perhaps less appealing to AFOLs than sets like 42670 or 42671 that also include more substantial patio or sidewalk space outside). Thanks again for all the time, effort, and enthusiasm you put into your reviews!
I saw Gigi's hair & wanted the set.
A few weeks later, my middle one saw Gigi's hair & wanted the set
Soon after, my eldest saw Gigi's hair & wanted the set
The hair IS awesome
Scissors are used when cutting long rolls into individual sweets - humbugs for example
@AustinPowers said:
" @Father_Nathan said:
"Has the cat just been called "they" instead of "it"?"
That's what I was thinking too.
When I read the con
"Why is there a cat, and why are they scared?"
I thought, what's the mistake, shouldn't it be "why are there cats, and why are they scared".
But apparently it's a trend these days to write "they" instead of he/she/it.
At first I thought the "they" was referring to the kids, as they might indeed be scared by that cat and it's slightly mad/deranged/insane look.
It's highly confusing to read, especially to a non-native speaker like myself. Because you always ask yourself what was meant and if it's a mistake or on purpose. Really annoying, and especially in this case unnecessary too, since it's a cat. A cat has always been "it" in my experience, just like any animal actually. "
Singular They
It's only been around for 700+ years so you might not be used to it yet
Chances are that you've used it & not even noticed.
*Cat goes crazy racing up & down the curtains
"They always do that after food"
See - totally normal
@Schmopiesdad said:
"I read the title too quickly as Heartlake City Sweat Shop. Thankfully, they aren't making sneakers or phones. Candy Store might be better."
Actually, that might be an interesting idea. Maybe the friends could go out protesting against human rights violations.
The mascots (whatever they are) remind me of the chocolate bar in 70822.