The turnover happened rapidly. Local coverage from the San Diego Union-Tribune and CBS 8 tracked the downtown site as it stripped away Southern California surf kitsch to construct the board game landscape of Hasbro's classic title. The new attraction, dubbed the Candy Land Cafe, opened its doors in early July, purposely timed to capture the massive influx of tourists arriving for San Diego Comic-Con.
Stepping inside reveals a complete architectural pivot. The retro roller rink footprint has been converted into themed zones representing classic game locations, including the Peppermint Forest, Gumdrop Mountains, and the Molasses Swamp. Rather than skate rentals, guests navigate custom dessert stations and theatrical dining sets engineered specifically for vertical video and flash photography.
The food program underwent a parallel reinvention. Chef-curated savory dishes remain on the menu to anchor the meal, but sugar-heavy signature presentations dominate the order slips. Milkshakes served in commemorative souvenir glasses, rainbow-layered sundaes, and theatrical candy cocktails have entirely displaced Barbie's beach-side fare.
