11 Best Classic American Candy Stores Across The US

There's hardly a saying that expresses unbridled joy like "kid in a candy store." But why do kids get all the fun? Candy stores, those brightly colored meccas of sky-high sugar intake, beckon many Americans far into adulthood. Candy, after all, is one of those food products that can really take us back, so candy stores are capable of injecting a sense of nostalgia, childlike reverie, and excitement into anyone's day.

Candy has long been a staple of American culture, with the oldest candy stores in the United States stretching back into past centuries. In the modern world, however, candy enthusiasts keep tabs on their favorite indulgences through candy-focused blogs, sweets-obsessed Instagram accounts, and TikTok viral candy sensations. Meanwhile, towns, states, and even nationwide publications regularly hold contests for the best candy store in the area (or in the country). These sources, and more, inspired this list of the coolest candy stores in the United States.

And in a society where more is more, candy stores have evolved from quaint little shops (still worth a visit for transporting yourself to the past) to mega-sized outlets overflowing with sweets. Some have blossomed into department store-level or warehouse-like square footage, others have added attractions far beyond the candy itself, from mini golf to candy museums, and some are just old-time-tastic. The candy stores listed here are not just the perfect places to get your candy fix. They've become must-visit destinations for travelers around the country.

Philadelphia's Shane Confectionery is one of America's oldest candy stores — in fact, it's the oldest continuously operated confectionery. The company emphasizes that this claim to fame means that its operation has been consistently making and selling confections longer than any other site in America, in a historic four-story brick building that's survived for over 150 years.

But it wasn't until 1910, when the company was sold to Edward R. Shane, that many of the retail shop's intricate, old-fashioned design elements were put into place. As the company explains, Shane installed elaborately carved cabinets, curved glass showcases, and marble countertops to highlight his confections, as well as stained glass transom windows above the storefront to allure passersby in front of his shop. Best of all, many of these architectural details have been restored and are on display in the shop today, making a visit there a bit like stepping into a charming bygone era.

It's no wonder that Eater Philadelphia has called Shane Confectionery the "time portal to Philadelphia's sugary past," calling out the efforts of current owners, brothers Ryan and Eric Berley, who breathed new life into the longstanding business in 2011. Fans regularly show it love online as a must-visit when living in or traveling through the City of Brotherly Love.

shanecandies.com

(215) 922-1048

110 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

With enthusiastic reviews and a high rankings online, Sweet Pete's Candy in Jacksonville, Florida, is hailed as the largest candy store in the Southeast. And the setting can't be beat: Visit Jacksonville points out that it's located in a historic 22,000-square-foot mansion right in the heart of downtown. From sour candies to hand-pulled lollipops, Sweet Pete's has your candy cravings covered.

Sweet Pete's Candy also gets a leg up on the candy competition by serving customers with dietary restrictions. It offers an entire allergy-friendly array of candies, including a selection of gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan-friendly, and nut-free options. A classic treat is Pete's Famous Sea Salt Caramel, now available in different flavors, like Apple Pie.

Meanwhile, visitors can make a day out of their visit, because Sweet Pete's also houses Fizzies & Fare, an in-house restaurant and bar that's touted by the company as home to hundreds of unique craft sodas, over-the-top Crazy Shakes, classic American eats, candy-inspired cocktails, and more. Candy fans can also learn how their favorite candies are made through a guided tour, led by one of the staff's "Candy Connoisseurs," through the three-story "candy mansion," then grab their own handmade custom chocolate bar fresh from Sweet Pete's kitchen. The business even hosts parties, events, field trips for local school kids, and classes on-site.

sweetpetescandy.com

(904) 643-4172

400 N Hogan St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Sweet Mickey's, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, is named after owner Randy Brinker's grandma and pays homage to her bygone party shop and homemade sweets. Many publications laud it as one of the best candy stores in the country, thanks to its variety of homemade fudges and truffles alongside classic candy favorites like Sugar Babies and international sensations like Danish salted licorice.

With a storefront tucked into the charming brick buildings of historic Ballard, it's the perfect place for a candy store with a vintage vibe and an old-time Americana aesthetic. From handmade goodies to its carefully curated selection of traditional and artisanal sweets from around the globe, candy lovers (or even the pickiest of eaters) can find something for them.

Even better, this candy store has a heart. Since its 2012 grand opening, it has supported the local Little League, sponsored movie nights in the park, and hosted onsite parties and events to create sweet memories and build community.

sweetmickeys.com

(206) 402-6272

5338 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

It'Sugar, with candy-colored locations nationwide, was already known for its San Francisco flagship location, with a three-floor candy store in Fisherman's Wharf. The brand, with locations from coast to coast, then opened a 24,000-square-foot location in East Rutherford, New Jersey's American Dream shopping mall. This location, dubbed the World's First Candy Department Store, also spans three floors, though there are plenty across the country.

Some of its over-the-top features at the East Rutherford location include: a three-story-tall Statue of Liberty replica covered in more than 1.5 million Jelly Belly beans, an immersive lollipop garden filled with nearly 10,000 lollipops, dozens of branded shops like Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, Nerds, Starburst, and Reese's. It's truly a candy lover's dream come true. YouTubers have hailed it as an amazing feat of candy awesomeness, all a stone's throw from New York City.

The brand It'Sugar calls itself a "retailtainer," a mashup of retailer and entertainment. As company lore explains, the brand was founded by candy veteran Jeff Rubin in 2006 and has grown to more than 120 locations throughout the United States and Canada. It's known for "absurd sugar innovations" and the Sugar High Club, with which loyal visitors can earn points for their purchases — then, of course, they can cash them in for more sugar.

itsugar.com

Multiple locations

Cleveland hosts North America's largest candy store, going strong for more than 75 years: b.a. Sweetie Candy Company. Cleveland.com calls it Cleveland's version of Willy Wonka's Candy Factory, and for good reason. Company stats boast that it hosts more than 500,000 visitors per year (making it one of the city's top attractions) and stocks more than 5,500 items in its wholesale store, to the tune of over $5 million in inventory on-hand at any given time.

With classic candy, retro candy, bulk candy, wholesale candy, and more, the store promises "the absolute largest variety of candy available anywhere in North America." Meaning, if you need 1,000 pounds of Tootsie Rolls to throw a parade, it's your outlet. It even keeps an eye on bygone favorites and claims it has been instrumental in bringing back vintage candies that had disappeared from shelves, including nostalgic names like Bonomo's Turkish Taffy, Slo Poke, Regal Crown, and Broadway licorice rolls.

All that would be enough to lure any candy fan, but b.a. Sweetie Candy Company is much more than just a candy store. It's a bona fide family-fun destination, offering Golfland Park, which has two 18-hole mini golf courses, complete with lights for evening play, koi ponds, a cascading waterfall, and concession stands. Meanwhile, the Soda Shoppe serves up homemade ice cream, sundaes, malts, and over 100 sodas in a barn-style parlor.

sweetiescandy.com

(216) 739-2244

6770 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44129

This New York City treasure actually started as a shoe and hat repair shop — but a little push cart outside also sold candy. According to company lore, in the Depression years, 1937, the business owners decided to focus on their biggest moneymaker, candy, and became known as Economy Candy. After World War II, Morris "Moishe" Cohen and his brother in law assumed ownership and expanded the business, selling candy, chocolate, gift baskets, dried fruit, nuts, and more. Morris' son, Jerry, and his wife, Ilene, took over after its move to the current location at 108 Rivington Street, then passed the business to son Mitchell, who runs it today.

In other words, this living legend is a true family affair — and a multigenerational sensation that has become a part of the rich history of New York City. In 2023, the northwest corner of Rivington and Essex Streets were co-named Morris "Moishe" Cohen Way in honor of Morris and Economy Candy's lasting legacies.

Today, the store still boasts over 2,000 items for sale, and visitors routinely rave about its massive selection and reasonable prices online. Hot sellers include chocolate-covered graham crackers (with and without jelly), chocolate-covered pretzels, jelly rings, gummies, and those hard-to-find candy bars. For those outside New York City, Economy Candy offers online sales, as well.

economycandy.com

(212) 254-1531

108 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

A candy shop with old-fashioned soda fountain treats like ice cream, specialty chocolate candies and fudge, more than 400 candies for buying in bulk, and 3,000-plus wrapped candies — all in colorful circus-theme surroundings? Yes, please.

The Big Top Candy Shop has been serving the Austin community (as well as candy-minded travelers) since 2007. Visitors praised its wall-to-wall candy selection, laid out in candy-colored rows, jars, racks, and even in a lollipop tree. Passing by Peanuts, the elephant pictured on the shop's entrance (facing the city's famed South Congress Avenue, known for housing quirky boutiques), visitors will find a whimsical wonderland at Big Top Candy with classic soda machines, retro candies, and a hefty bulk section customers can grab by the scoop.

The store promises both nostalgic favorites and new creations from around the globe. Whether you're just passing through for SXSW or a stalwart resident, Big Top Candy Shop is a must-visit in the Live Music Capital of the World.

bigtopcandyshop.com

(512) 462-2220

1706 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Minnesota's Largest Candy Store in Jordan, Minnesota, nods to its mind-boggling mass of inventory in its very name — and the company would seem intent on living up to that moniker. Owned by Robert Wagner, and also known as Jim's Apple Farm, the store houses not only nostalgic candy, but fresh-baked pies and strudels, the world's largest selection of sodas, an array of popcorn flavors, and locally-sourced items (think pastas, jams, jellies, and even puzzles). These are all sourced from surrounding farms, making this Midwestern gem not only a candy emporium but a true shopping destination that supports locals and promotes Minnesota products to everyone who enters.

Fortunately, its location is relatively convenient for passers-through, as the store is only 35 miles from Minneapolis. And you can't miss it — the store is housed in a massive, bright yellow barn. It's a must-stop not only thanks to its dizzying array of sweet and savory treats, but fun touches throughout its interior decor, such as a new observatory-like dome featuring a mural with more than two dozen superheroes, an animatronic band, and a fortune-telling machine. Essentially, this Minnesota behemoth will bring out the kid in anyone.

minnesotaslargestcandystore.com

(952) 492-6380 

20430 Johnson Memorial Dr, Jordan, MN 55352

Calling itself one of the oldest continuously operated, family-owned candy businesses in the U.S., Schimpff's Confectionery has been hailed as America's best candy store. It was also featured on a national television special "Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness."

With 135 years of history, Schimpff's Confectionery more than deserves those honors — its recipes and business stretch back to the 1800s. The company history notes that the recipe for its famous Cinnamon Red Hots were handwritten in the recipe book of Gustav "Gus" Schimpff Sr. back in 1891. And it's still making waves, having been featured on several shows and publications.

With such an illustrious history, it makes sense that Schimpff's Confectionery also houses a candy museum, with thousands of pieces of American candy memorabilia. The museum, along with a candy demonstration area, were added to an adjacent building in 2001, a dream child of 1990s-era owners Warren Schimpff and his wife Jill. Today, fifth-generation owners Steve and Beth Shepherd have taken the helm and embrace the time-honored traditions and recipes at Schimpff's Confectionery.

schimpffs.com

(812) 283-8367

347 Spring St, Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Seeking candy from the 1970s, or maybe your favorite candy from the 1990s? The Peppermint Stick Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, stocks a cornucopia of vintage candies alongside modern-day favorites and gourmet goodies like truffles. Whether you're visiting in-store or shopping online, this candy store has got you covered. In fact, its website has a handy online shopping feature, making it easy for customers to browse by decade.

Opened in 2015, this woman-owned business also offers Longacre's ice cream for indulgent sundaes and 20-ounce milkshakes, plus bakery delights like Ice Cream Nachos (waffle cones make the chips) and the Cinnamon Roll Sundae, and a Soda Jerk menu with soda fountain favorites. Customers will find not just a store, but an unforgettable experience at The Peppermint Stick Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor. They can find fudge, artisan chocolates, loose chocolates, gummy candy, penny candy, nostalgic candy, gourmet truffles (in flavors like mint, Champagne, tiramisu, and key lime), and even a penny candy section. Basically, if you leave hungry, you've done something wrong.

peppermintstickcandystore.com

(610) 473-2616

26 E Philadelphia Ave, Boyertown, PA 19512

Since 1934, Bright's Candies has been whipping up candy the old-fashioned way. Even now, this destination features charming equipment to make its treats, including large copper kettles, metal candy molds, and an antique popcorn popper in its candy kitchen. Even better, the viewing windows in the shop are designed to give everyone a front row look at the process, allowing kids and adults to watch the staff confectioners at work. All of these factors contribute to an impressively high Yelp rating, where customers called it cute and charming, with a heavenly smell and friendly staff members.

This candy store won national recognition for its sweet treats, and for decades, has been known for wafting aromas of caramel corn and waffle cones down Walla Walla's Main Street. Try out the chocolates, truffles, and seasonal items like handmade chocolate Easter bunnies. Or, go for fudge, licorice, or colorful frozen treats. In other words, it's not just a candy store; it's a place to immerse all of your senses in sweets. What's not to love about that?

brightscandies.com

(509) 525-5533

11 E Main St, Walla Walla, WA 99362

This list was compiled using review sites like Reddit, Google, and Tripadvisor; research on candy stores' websites from coast to coast; and tracking media mentions on major news outlets. Extra attention was given to candy stores that are historic and/or boast unique offerings to visitors, such as mini golf, soda fountains, museums, and more.