Posts from December 9th, 2022

If you're in charge of stuffing stockings this holiday season, consider stopping by one—or more—of Northeast Ohio's many outstanding candy shops. Buy some sweets to treat yourself, and then score some great stocking stuffers for everyone on your list. From nostalgic pre-packaged candies you remember from childhood to indulgent handmade chocolate creations, you'll be able to satisfy every sweet tooth. You'll even be able to find many candies that people with dietary restrictions can enjoy.

Check out the following Ohio candy shops to stock up on stocking stuffers.

b.a. Sweetie Candy Company

6770 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH 44129

You'll need to allow a good bit of time when you visit b.a. Sweetie Candy Company since it's not only North America's largest candy store but also a fun attraction with miniature golf and an old-fashioned soda shop. You'll find the classic candies you grew up with as well as newer ones, with about 4,500 items from 190 candy manufacturers to choose from. For example, instead of finding a few Pez dispensers with candy refills, you'll find a seemingly endless assortment. Sweetie sells so much candy that it's even been able to help bring back some popular candies previously discontinued, including SloPoke and Broadway licorice rolls. 

All City Candy

746 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44143

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Located 20 minutes east of downtown Cleveland, All City Candy is 5,000 square feet of candy heaven. Fill stockings with your family members' favorite candies and some new ones from all the popular brands, including Hershey's, Necco, Nestle, Russell Stovers, Brach's, and more. Or buy some hand-dipped treats such as chocolate-covered pretzels, Oreos, and Nutter Butter cookies. You'll even find novelty candy items like spin pops and Pez dispensers to add to the fun. And if anyone you're stuffing a stocking for has dietary restrictions, they don't need to be left out of the candy bliss since the store stocks sugar-free, low-sugar, gluten-free, and vegan candies.

Mitchell's Fine Chocolates

2285 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Mitchell's Fine Chocolates has carried on the traditions of European chocolatiers since its founding in 1939. You won't find the latest trendy pre-packaged candy here; instead, you'll be able to buy the kind of handmade chocolates that have been popular since the store's opening. Mitchell's specializes in dark chocolate-covered marshmallows, caramels, and truffles. Favorites at the shop include bourbon smoked salt caramels, apple cider caramels, pecan turtles, chocolate-covered nuts including almonds and Brazil nuts, signature chocolate truffles, and Grand Marnier truffles.

Eagle Family Candy Company

4590 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214

Four generations of chocolate-making expertise go into the candy at Eagle Family Candy Company, which makes its sweet treats by hand. They're well known for handmade caramels and turtles, as well as their hand-rolled and hand-dipped buckeyes. If your family likes crunchy candy, try the peanut brittle, cashew bark, and pecan bark. For a zesty treat, buy the shop's fruit slices in flavors including watermelon, pink grapefruit, peach, and lemon. Order any amount of treats, mixing and matching along the way, and the family will even let you try a few samples if you're undecided.

Anthony-Thomas Chocolates

1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228

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One of the largest family-owned and operated candy companies in the Midwest, Anthony-Thomas Chocolate has served generations of Ohioans since 1952. Some of its customer favorites include truffle-filled chocolate Christmas trees, gourmet chocolate bars, chocolate foil-wrapped Santas and snowmen, and, of course, buckeyes. If you're looking for a non-chocolate stocking stuffer, you'll also find plenty of those, including peppermint bark, Australian red and black licorice, gummi bears, fruit slices, and saltwater taffy.

Colonial Candy

3620 N. High St. #105, Columbus/Clintonville, OH 43214

Colonial Candy has been in business for 50 years selling Ben Heggy Ohio handcrafted chocolates and old-fashioned candy. Fresh Ohio dairy cream is used in many of its sweets, including the maple cream. Customer favorites include the coconut haystack, French mint, and pecan patty. For a variety of treats, buy the Heggy sack, which features some of the shop's favorites, or the Brevoort Brothers Mix, which honors one of Clintonville's first settling families. And if you have a Harry Potter fan you're buying for, check out the chocolate wand and Jelly Bellies in the shape of objects from Harry's world.

Maverick Chocolate Co.

129 W. Elder St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

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If you're buying for the chocolate connoisseur, Maverick Chocolate Co. is the place to visit. This family-owned business operates on a "bean-to-bar" philosophy, resulting in chocolate made the old-fashioned way with ethically sourced beans. The shop's products aren't just limited to chocolate bars either; get their unique blend in the form of drinking chocolate mix, cocoa powder, and hazelnut spread. Truffles made with fresh ingredients such as orange, strawberry puree, and rose water are not to be missed.

Chocolats Latour

4037 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223

Handcrafted in Cincinnati with fair-trade chocolate, candies from Chocolats Latour are "Good For Everything," and that includes stuffing those stockings. Choose from beautiful Hand-Painted Truffles, Salted Caramel Leaves, Peanut Butter Ornaments, and so much more. Hot chocolate lovers with appreciate the Hot Chocolate Bombs, and Peppermint Bark is always a hit.

Life is Sweet

What candy are you hoping to get in your stocking this year?