Major Characters Removed From Failing Universal Studios Location

While the Universal Orlando Resort might be a massive resort with two (soon to be three) theme parks, a water park, and a huge shopping and dining area (CityWalk), its West Coast counterpart — Universal Studios Hollywood — is nothing to be ashamed of. Sure, Universal Studios is much, MUCH smaller than Orlando, but there is still a ton of fun stuff to do during your trip!

Just like Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood has Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts. Guests can also visit the Simpsons area, engage with dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park area, battle Megatron on the Transformers ride, and even see real film studios on the Backlot Tour. And there are a lot of great restaurants and shopping locations found in CityWalk.

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Two years ago, Universal Studios Hollywood became a little more like the Universal Orlando Resort, with the opening of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium on CityWalk. The gastropub first opened in Florida in 2016, and was such a hit that Universal Hollywood closed the Hard Rock Café that was on CityWalk and opened a second Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in 2023.

Unfortunately, Toothsome Hollywood is not nearly as successful as Universal hoped it would be. In fact, things seem to be getting so dire that many are wondering if the restaurant will close next year after being open for just two years.

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Recently, it was announced that, due to the struggles the restaurant is encountering, one major change will be happening in a matter of days. Beginning December 30, Penelope Toothsome and her robot, Jacques, will no longer be a part of the dining experience. They will no longer be walking around and talking to guests at their tables.

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in Hollywood is NOT doing well. The restaurant has only lost Universal money. Starting December 30th, the Penelope and Jacque walk-around characters will no longer make appearances in the CityWalk restaurant 😬
@UniStudios

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in Hollywood is NOT doing well. The restaurant has only lost Universal money. Starting December 30th, the Penelope and Jacque walk-around characters will no longer make appearances in the CityWalk restaurant 😬 @UniStudios pic.twitter.com/mmnD1ZU9pb

— Universal HIGH 🌎 (@HighUniversal) December 17, 2024

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According to the Toothsome backstory, Penelope Toothsome created Jacques and the two traveled the world together, searching for adventure and incredible chocolate recipes. When they returned to London, Penelope found a note from her parents, saying that they had left to go find her, and were looking anywhere chocolate could be found.

So, Penelope and Jacques created the steampunk-inspired Toothsome Chocolate Emporium to serve as a beacon and help Penelope reunite with her parents.

This is just the latest move by Universal that signals how much its new restaurant is struggling.

Just two months ago, guests visiting Universal Hollywood and CityWalk were shocked to see that the Chocolate Emporium had been removed from Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. The restaurant had removed the counter area that was full of scrumptious chocolate confections, as well as the stands that sold pre-packaged treats and merchandise.

In its place was a bar area that almost no one was sitting at. All that was left of the chocolate emporium was a few chocolate bars that had been placed near the milkshake area.

At this time, Universal Studios Hollywood officials have not revealed the fate of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. It is possible that they could come up with new ideas to draw in crowds.

However, if things continue as they are, Toothsome may not live long enough to see its third birthday.

Are you sad to see the state of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium? Do you think they should get rid of Penelope and Jacques? What can be done to save the eatery? Share your thoughts in the comments!