Imagine a state where the air is sweet, the scenery is sweeter, and the candy shops are the sweetest of all.
Welcome to Maine, where sugar-coated dreams come true in the most unexpected places.
1. Island Candy Company (Orr’s Island)
Nestled on Orr’s Island, the Island Candy Company is a hidden gem that’s worth the journey.
This charming gray-shingled building with bright blue trim looks like it was plucked straight out of a New England postcard.
As you approach, you’ll notice the quaint outdoor seating area, perfect for savoring your treats while soaking in the coastal air.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where calories don’t count and happiness is measured in sugar crystals.
The shop’s interior is a delightful mix of old-school charm and modern confectionery magic.
It’s like your grandmother’s kitchen got a makeover from Willy Wonka himself.
Their handcrafted candies are so fresh, you’d think they were caught that morning like the local lobster.
From sea salt caramels that capture the essence of the Maine coast to wild blueberry truffles that burst with flavor, each bite is a taste of the Pine Tree State.
2. Len Libby Chocolates (Scarborough)
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into a chocolate lover’s fever dream, Len Libby Chocolates in Scarborough is your answer.
This place is so committed to chocolate, they’ve created a life-sized moose made entirely of the stuff.
That’s right, a chocolate moose. In Maine.
It’s like they looked at the state animal and thought, “You know what would make this better? If we could eat it.”
The shop’s interior is a whimsical wonderland, complete with a mural of the Maine wilderness and a log cabin facade.
It’s as if L.L. Bean and Hershey’s had a love child, and that child grew up to be really, really good at making chocolate.
Their signature “Needhams” – a potato, coconut, and chocolate confection – are a local favorite.
It’s the kind of treat that makes you wonder why anyone ever bothered putting potatoes in anything else.
Sorry, French fries, you’ve been dethroned.
3. Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections (Freeport)
Wilbur’s of Maine in Freeport is housed in a building so cheerfully yellow, it could probably cure seasonal affective disorder.
It’s like a ray of sunshine decided to settle down and start making chocolate.
Inside, the aroma of cocoa is so intoxicating, you might find yourself wondering if there’s such a thing as a chocolate sommelier.
If there is, they probably trained here.
Their hand-dipped chocolates are works of art.
Each piece looks so perfect, you almost feel bad eating it.
Almost.
But then you remember that’s exactly what it’s for, and suddenly you’re popping truffles like they’re going out of style.
4. Monica’s Chocolates (Lubec)
Monica’s Chocolates in Lubec is proof that sometimes the best things come in unassuming packages.
Housed in a charming white building that looks more like a cozy home than a candy shop, this place is the definition of a hidden treasure.
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The shop’s backstory is as rich as its chocolates.
Founded by a Peruvian immigrant who brought her family’s recipes to the easternmost point of the United States, it’s a testament to the American dream – if that dream involves making people deliriously happy with chocolate.
Their Peruvian-inspired truffles are so good, they might make you consider booking a flight to Lima.
But then you remember you’re already in paradise – a paradise called Lubec, Maine, where the chocolate flows like water and the scenery is just as sweet.
5. The Candy Shoppe (Boothbay Harbor)
Orne’s Candy Store in Boothbay Harbor is like stepping into a time machine that’s been calibrated to “peak nostalgia.”
With its classic striped awning and vintage sign, it’s the kind of place that makes you half expect to see kids with lollipops the size of their heads skipping down the street.
Inside, it’s a candy lover’s paradise.
The shelves are stocked with every type of sweet imaginable, from old-fashioned favorites to modern treats.
It’s like someone took all your childhood dreams about owning a candy store and turned them into reality.
Their homemade fudge is so creamy, it should probably come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous happiness and uncontrollable smiling.”
6. Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. (Boothbay Harbor)
Just when you thought Boothbay Harbor couldn’t get any sweeter, along comes the Coastal Maine Popcorn Co.
This place proves that popcorn isn’t just for movies anymore – it’s a full-blown gourmet experience.
The shop’s exterior, with its cheery green awning, is as inviting as a warm Maine summer day.
Inside, it’s a popcorn wonderland.
The air is filled with the intoxicating aroma of freshly popped kernels and a dizzying array of flavors.
From classic butter to wild concoctions like blueberry cheesecake and lobster (yes, lobster), their popcorn flavors are as diverse as Maine’s coastline.
It’s the kind of place where you go in thinking, “I’ll just try a sample,” and come out with enough popcorn to feed a small army.
7. Dean’s Sweets (Portland)
Dean’s Sweets in Portland is the sophisticated older sibling of the candy world.
With its sleek green awning and urban vibe, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you should be discussing the notes and terroir of your truffle.
Inside, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
The display cases are filled with artisanal truffles and bonbons so beautiful, they could double as jewelry.
It’s the kind of place where you find yourself saying things like, “Ah yes, I detect hints of lavender in this ganache,” even if you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Their sea salt caramels are so good, they might make you reconsider your stance on seawater.
Who knew salt could be so sweet?
From island hideaways to urban chocolate havens, Maine’s candy scene is a sweet tooth’s paradise.
So grab your elastic-waisted pants and embark on a sugar-fueled adventure through the Pine Tree State.
Your dentist might not thank you, but your taste buds certainly will.