Ever wondered what it’s like to be a kid in a candy store?
Well, Ohio’s got you covered, and then some.
Prepare for a sugar-coated journey through the Buckeye State’s sweetest spots!
1. Red Berry Candy Shop (Madison)
Nestled in a charming red building that looks like it popped right out of a storybook, Red Berry Candy Shop is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
With its white picket fence and colorful decorations, you might think you’ve stumbled into Candyland itself.
As you approach, you’re greeted by a giant blue Jelly Belly sign that practically screams, “Hey, sugar fiend! Your paradise awaits!”
Inside, it’s a kaleidoscope of confectionery delights.
From classic candies that’ll make you nostalgic for your childhood to trendy treats that’ll have you saying, “Wait, they make candy out of that now?”, this place has it all.
The shop’s vibrant exterior is just a teaser for the rainbow explosion waiting inside.
It’s like walking into Willy Wonka’s fever dream, minus the unsettling Oompa Loompas.
Trust me, your dentist might not thank you, but your inner child certainly will.
2. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop (Miamisburg)
If Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop were a person, it’d be that cool grandpa who always has a trick up his sleeve and a twinkle in his eye.
This place is like stepping into a time machine that’s been bedazzled with sugar crystals.
The storefront, with its classic brick facade and striped awning, gives off serious old-school vibes.
But don’t let that fool you – inside, it’s a party for your taste buds.
From floor to ceiling, every nook and cranny is stuffed with colorful candies, sodas, and novelty items that’ll make you giggle like a schoolkid.
And let’s talk about that name for a second.
Grandpa Joe? More like Grandpa Cool.
This isn’t your average grandpa’s candy stash – unless your grandpa happens to be Willy Wonka’s cooler brother.
It’s a place where nostalgia meets novelty, and where you can find everything from classic penny candies to bizarre flavor combinations that’ll make you go, “Huh, I didn’t know I needed bacon-flavored gummy bears in my life.”
3. b.a. Sweetie Candy Company (Cleveland)
Forget Disneyland, folks.
For candy enthusiasts, b.a. Sweetie Candy Company is the happiest place on earth.
This isn’t just a candy store; it’s a candy warehouse.
It’s where sweet dreams come to live their best lives.
From the outside, it might look like any other large retail space.
But step inside, and you’re transported to a world where calories don’t count and sugar is its own food group.
The aisles seem to stretch on forever, each one a new adventure in confectionery delight.
But the real showstopper?
The larger-than-life candy mascots scattered throughout the store.
There’s a giant lollipop with a grin so wide it might just swallow you whole, and M&M characters that look like they’re ready to break into a Broadway musical number at any moment.
It’s like someone took your childhood fantasies, supersized them, and sprinkled them with extra sugar.
4. Sweeties Candy Company (Parma)
If b.a. Sweetie is the extrovert of candy stores, Sweeties Candy Company is its slightly more reserved, but equally fabulous cousin.
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you – inside, it’s a treasure trove of treats that’ll make your sweet tooth do a happy dance.
Walking through the aisles is like embarking on a sugar-coated expedition.
The shelves tower over you, stacked to the brim with every type of candy imaginable.
It’s the kind of place where you might come in for a quick snack and leave two hours later, wondering how you ended up with a cart full of gummy worms and chocolate-covered everything.
And let’s not forget about the bulk candy section.
It’s like playing Tetris, but instead of blocks, you’re trying to fit as many different types of candy into your bag as possible.
Pro tip: Bring a friend with steady hands.
You’ll need them to hold the bag while you shovel in “just one more” of those chocolate-covered espresso beans.
5. Boyd’s Retro Candy Store (Toledo)
Stepping into Boyd’s Retro Candy Store is like hopping into a DeLorean and hitting 88 miles per hour – suddenly, you’re back in time, surrounded by the sweets of yesteryear.
This place isn’t just a candy store; it’s a time capsule with a sugar rush.
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The vibrant pink exterior is impossible to miss – it’s like the building itself is a giant piece of bubble gum.
And those colorful chairs out front?
They’re practically begging you to sit down and enjoy your newly acquired stash of retro goodies.
Inside, it’s a nostalgic nirvana.
Remember those candies your grandparents used to talk about?
They’re all here, lined up like sweet soldiers ready for duty.
From classic candy cigarettes (don’t worry, they’re just sugar) to those bizarre wax bottles filled with questionable liquid, Boyd’s has it all.
It’s the kind of place that’ll have you saying, “Oh man, I remember these!” every five seconds.
6. Marie’s Candies (West Liberty)
This quaint little shop looks like it was plucked straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, complete with a charming sign that practically winks at you as you approach.
The building itself is a slice of Americana, with its crisp white siding and red trim.
It’s the candy store equivalent of a warm hug from grandma – comforting, familiar, and guaranteed to leave you feeling just a little bit spoiled.
But don’t let the old-fashioned exterior fool you.
Inside, Marie’s is keeping up with the times while still honoring tradition.
It’s like your favorite old recipe book got a modern makeover – all the classics are there, but with a few new twists that’ll keep your taste buds guessing.
7. Suzin L. Chocolatier (Elyria)
Suzin L. Chocolatier is proof that sometimes, the best things come in understated packages.
From the outside, it might not scream “chocolate paradise,” but trust me, this place is the Willy Wonka of Elyria – minus the questionable child labor practices and potentially lethal candy experiments.
The simple brick exterior with its elegant sign is like a secret handshake for chocolate lovers.
It’s saying, “Psst… hey you. Yeah, you with the cocoa cravings. Come on in. We’ve got the good stuff.”
Inside, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
The air is thick with the rich aroma of cocoa, and everywhere you look, there’s another delectable creation waiting to be discovered.
It’s the kind of place where you might come in thinking you’ll just grab a quick truffle, and leave an hour later, wondering if it’s socially acceptable to bathe in chocolate fondue.
8. Heggy’s Candy Company (Canton)
Heggy’s Candy Company is like that friend who’s been around forever and just keeps getting better with age.
This Canton institution has been satisfying sweet tooths since before your grandparents were sneaking candy under their pillows.
The storefront, with its bold yellow sign and promise of “chocolates, caramels, salted nuts,” is like a beacon of sugary hope in a world of kale smoothies and quinoa bowls.
It’s saying, “Come on in. Calories don’t count when you’re making memories.”
Inside, it’s a wonderland of confectionery delights.
The display cases gleam like treasure chests, each one filled with handcrafted chocolates and candies that look almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
Because let’s be real, you’re definitely going to eat them.
And then probably buy a box to take home.
You know, for “later.”
9. All City Candy (Cleveland)
All City Candy is the United Nations of sweet treats.
This place doesn’t discriminate – if it’s sugary and delicious, it’s welcome here.
The storefront, with its playful candy-dotted facade, is like a party invitation in building form.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a riot of colors and shapes that would make a rainbow jealous.
The shelves are stocked with an international array of candies that’ll take your taste buds on a world tour without ever leaving Cleveland.
From Japanese Kit Kats in flavors you never knew existed to European chocolates that’ll make you consider booking a flight to Switzerland, All City Candy lives up to its name.
It’s not just a candy store; it’s a candy metropolis.
A sugar-coated melting pot where gummy bears and chocolate truffles live in perfect harmony.
So there you have it, folks – nine sweet spots that prove Ohio is more than just the Buckeye State.
It’s a candy lover’s paradise.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a chocolate bar… or nine.