Ready for a sugar rush?
Whether you’re craving truffles or turtles, barks or brittle, gummies or Gibralters (find out what those are below!), these Northeast candy stores are sure to satisfy.
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Longest Candy Counter
Littleton, N.H.
Stuffed with jelly beans, gummy worms, candy corn and licorice, Chutters holds the distinction of having the longest candy counter in the world. It could take all day to browse the 500 different types of sweets stored in big glass jars, but don’t pass up the assortment of M&Ms before you start filling your bag. Save room for the gourmet chocolates and fudge! Chutters also has locations in Lincoln and Bretton Woods, N.H.
All in the Family
Concord and Manchester, N.H.
Some folks know not to mess with success, keeping beloved recipes in the family for generations. And so it goes at this shop, in business since 1927, where you’ll find luscious creams, fudge, chocolate cherries and even a dark chocolate-dipped Twinkie! Select chocolate by the pound from behind a glass case or grab a bag and fill it with your favorite hard candies and gummies.
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Wakefield and Cranston, R.I.
Find Rhode Island-themed chocolate novelties, such as sea creatures, flip-flops, even chocolate seashells at Sweenor’s. In business since the ’40s, the fourth generation is still making many of its chocolate treats by hand, including clusters, barks and brittles.
For Kids (and Kids at Heart) in a Candy Shop
North Smithfield, R.I.
You can spot this third-generation shop by its bright red and white striped roof. Once inside, you won’t know where to look first, because Pearl’s is loaded with nostalgic treats such as Dots, Pixy Stix, Laffy Taffy and Bit-O-Honey. Then there are peanut butter cups and caramels next to jelly beans and rock candy. Pearl’s is also known for its nuts.
Sweets and Suites
Middlebury, Vt.
Reportedly Vermont’s largest candy store – offering some 1,500 varieties – Middlebury Sweets is actually located in the middle of its namesake motel, which features candy-themed rooms. The shop sells handmade peanut butter cups, peanut butter and banana Elvis bark, Tiger Paws (also known as turtles) and novelty candy items. And if you need to crash after your sugar high, you won’t have far to fall.
Hold the Nuts
Colchester, Vt.
This shop, and its online site, is a mecca for chocolate lovers who have peanut or nut allergies. Stocked with boxed chocolates, bunnies and chocolate-covered pretzels, owners Gail and Mark Elvidge began the company in 1998 after they couldn’t find a safe chocolate product for their young son, who had a life-threatening peanut allergy. Find additional retailers on their website.
For the Vegan in Your Life
New Paltz, N.Y.
Everything made here is fair trade, organic and fully vegan – and seriously unique, from the legendary salted Galapagos turtles to caramels infused with cardamon, violet, rosemary sea salt and chile. The shop also sells its full chocolate collection, plus baked goods, at Confectionary! in New York City.
Sexiest Candy Store
Rhinebeck, N.Y.
Aside from their Clodhoppers (peanut butter, pretzel and graham cracker covered in milk chocolate), another treat is finding Paul Rudd behind the counter. Rudd, known for roles in “Ant-Man,” and “Only Murders in the Building,” and, of course, for being voted People’s Sexiest Man of the Year in 2021, co-owns this adorable shop with “Walking Dead” actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Buy packaged goodies, chocolate by the pound or novelty items such as chocolate mac ‘n cheese and unbearably hot cinnamon bears.
Swiss Mix
New York City, Walpole, N.H; Boston and Cambridge, Mass.
Using a Swiss technique for crafting chocolate, Larry Burdick began his eponymous shop in 1987. Today, with four locations in the Northeast, the chocolate, including signature chocolate mice, is still made by hand. Burdick offers boxes for weddings, holidays and even drinking chocolates. No wonder it has been named best chocolate by Food & Wine and other publications.
Oldest Candy Store
Salem and North Andover, Mass.
According to its history, this candy biz dates to the 1800s when Mary Spencer sold hard sugar candies known as Gibralters. Today, find them along with molasses-flavored Black Jacks (a stick candy), penuche brown sugar fudge, nostalgic apple rings, butterscotch drops and nonpareils. Modern appetites will appreciate the assortment of chocolates, barks and patties, and in the summer months, lots of licorice.
Seasonal Treat
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Orne’s, which opened in 1884 and is still family run, is a must-stop for its signature fudge – don’t miss the chocolate walnut! – mint julep truffles and saltwater taffy. Some of its more unique sweets include pebbles, which are hard candies with a soft inner surprise, and gravel, milk chocolate inside a candy stone. A summer staple, Orne’s closes during the winter. It reopens in April 2024.
Big Store for a Big State
Wiscasset, Maine
If you’ve ever stopped at a big box store, you’ll get the appeal of this expansive space – it bills itself as Maine’s largest candy store – with some 8,000 square feet of everything sweet, from its own brands of candy and chocolate to sodas, ice cream and Maine-made products. Smaller Sweetz & More candy stores are also located throughout New Hampshire; see website for details.
Try Before You Buy
Waterbury, Conn.
Before you gobble up a pound of their caramels, meltaways and truffles, find out how they’re made by booking one of Fascia’s popular chocolate experiences, which include a demo and the chance to make your own chocolate bar.
Dandy Candy
Various locations in Connecticut
Munson’s was known as the Dandy Candy Company when a young couple began making and selling wafers and ribbon candy from their garage in 1946. Today, Munsons is still family owned and has expanded to eight locations in Connecticut, where you can find its caramels, fudge, brittles and truffles, along with seasonal treats and UConn Husky bars.
Which of these candy stores will you go to satisfy your sweet tooth? Do you have another favorite candy shop that we forgot to mention? Tell us in the comments.
Can’t get enough sweets? Send someone you love (or yourself) a chocolate gift from Simply Chocolate. You can save 20% when shopping online with your AAA discount.
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You forgot to mention:
Nantasket Sweets by Swedes
161 Nantasket AV, Hull MA
Swedish pick ‘n mix candies and homemade chocolates, fudge, and pralines.
Website: https://www.nantasketsweets.com/
ALL your favorites from years gone by and new stuff too…The Penny Candy Store that bills itself as the Biggest Candy Store in New England is located in Sharon MA and at ThePennyCandyStore.com
Tin Bin Alley in Cooperstown NY
Deborah Ann’s in Ridgefield, CT. Amazing chocolates, huge assortment of sweets and delicious ice cream, too. Make everyone in the family happy!
You failed to mention one of the best fudge & candy store on the North Shore.
Winfrey’s Fudge. Absolutely wonderful & delicious. Not only fudge, but chocolate, bark, etc.
My first place to go to get my candy fix or to give a gift to someone.
Bavarian Chocolate Haus in North Conway. Hand made chocolates right in the store. The best wintergreen patties I have ever eaten. I am up there every year and that is the first place I go
Yummy’s in Kittery, Maine is the best candy store I have ever seen.
Harbor Sweets in Salem , MA. Absolutely try their bunnies. A surprise in every bite.
Commodore Chocolatier
Located at 482 Broadway in Newburgh, Commodore Chocolatier opened in 1935. Offering chocolates, old fashion ribbon candy and more, this is one of the Hudson Valley’s best chocolate shops.
Step back in time entering this fabulous chocolate shop. Before Commodore this was a drug store I’m sure . The staff is very pleasant. efficient and knowledgeable. Wonderful selection of chocolates that are made on-site. I love this place.
Richardsons Candy Kitchen! Consistently delicious! Specialty chocolates for the holidays are a real treat, whether for the Christmas stocking or the Easter basket. Can’t wait to get back there.
I agree! Richardson’s has been there for YEARS and makes the best Truffles! Their handmade candy canes at Christmas are to die for! I always buy more than I should when I go there . . . but I find it a lot of fun just looking around at all of the choices. I simply LOVE their candy!
Definitely. Richardson’s Candy Kitchen in Deerfield MA is a MUST! Delicious candies, fudge and chocolates, Richardson’s is worth stop for anyone going through the area. Visiting Old Deerfield? Deerfield Academy? You’ll be going right past Richardson’s. Stop in see what you’ve been missing!
Ditto to Kay’s post.
Family-owned Stowaway Sweets chocolate factory and shop has been New England tradition since opening its doors in 1929. Located in the quaint and historic fishing village of Marblehead, Massachusetts, Stowaway Sweets is famous for hand-dipped chocolates, especially the “Meltaway,” since 1929.
Every White House administration since President Roosevelt (who used to visit Stowaway Sweets personally with his motorcade) has ordered our famous chocolates to enjoy and share with dignitaries, the Royal Family (also clients), famous authors, musicians, and Hollywood elite.
August 2019 will mark the fourth year former Vogue editor, Emily DeWitt and husband Executive Chef/Chocolatier, Don DeWitt are at the helm of the iconic chocolate factory. There are three large display cases with over a hundred varieties of chocolates and candy to taste and enjoy. Not much in the shop has changed since opening our doors almost a hundred years ago and many locals come in to tell stories about spending their childhood frequenting the shop.
Correspondence and orders from past US Presidents, Buckingham Palace, NFL coaches, and Hollywood legends are proudly on display on the shop walls. Icons from the past such as Winston Churchill, Robert Frost, Katharine Hepburn, and Barbra Streisand to present day stars Sandra Bullock and Adam Sandler to one of sport’s biggest rivalries are all Stowaway Sweets loyalists. It’s the one thing both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees can agree on: these chocolates are the best (both are clients)!
Wow! Thanks for the intel Charles. This sounds amazing
You should definitely include Trappistine Quality Candy at Mount St. Mary’s Abbey in Wrentham. Wonderful handmade candies created by a community of cloistered nuns in Wrentham, Mass. Their web site is https://www.trappistinecandy.com/. The shop is at the abbey on a beautiful wooded lane, just down the street from Big Apple orchards, which is another great place to stop.
Great addition. Thank you!
Can’t believe you didn’t list the Wayside Country Store in Marlborough MA. For over 125 years it has been a family destination for penny candy. And it’s very near the Longfellow Wayside Inn and Grist Mill, day-trip destinations in their own right.