Miss the joy of an old-fashioned candy store?
Michigan’s nostalgic candy shops bring back the magic of childhood with rows of sweet treats and vintage candies.
So, loosen your belts and prepare for a saccharine adventure through nine of the state’s most delightful confectioneries!
1. Caruso Candy & Soda Fountain Since 1922 (Dowagiac)
Step into Caruso’s, and you’ll swear you’ve stumbled onto a Hollywood set for a 1950s sitcom.
This charming time capsule in Dowagiac has been serving up sweets and smiles since Calvin Coolidge was in office.
The vintage soda fountain counter practically begs you to pull up a stool and order a root beer float.
But don’t let the retro vibes fool you – Caruso’s isn’t stuck in the past when it comes to their candy selection.
They’ve got everything from classic penny candies to modern gourmet chocolates.
It’s like your grandpa’s candy drawer got a hipster makeover.
The real magic happens when you watch the staff whip up an old-fashioned ice cream soda.
It’s a performance worthy of a Food Network special, minus the celebrity chef ego and with 100% more genuine small-town charm.
2. Kilwin’s Chocolates (Petoskey)
Kilwin’s in Petoskey is the Willy Wonka factory of Northern Michigan, minus the potentially fatal candy experiments and questionable labor practices.
This chocolate haven has been a staple since 1947, proving that some things, like the perfect caramel apple, are timeless.
The moment you walk in, you’re hit with a wave of sweet aromas that could make even the strictest dieter weak at the knees.
Watch in awe as they hand-paddle fudge on marble slabs – it’s like a delicious CrossFit workout for your eyes.
Don’t leave without trying their “Perfect Apple” – a Granny Smith dipped in caramel, then chocolate, then rolled in nuts.
It’s the kind of apple that would make Snow White say, “Poison schmooison, give me another bite!”
3. Alpine Chocolat Haus (Gaylord)
Nestled in Gaylord, the Alpine Chocolat Haus is where Swiss Miss meets Midwest charm.
This place takes chocolate so seriously, you’d think they were preparing for the Chocolate Olympics (which, sadly, isn’t a real thing… yet).
Their specialty? Chocolate-covered potato chips.
It’s the snack equivalent of a mullet – business on one side, party on the other.
The combination of salty and sweet is so addictive, it should come with a warning label.
But the real showstopper is their selection of hand-dipped truffles.
Each one is like a tiny work of art, almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
Let’s be real, they’re going in your mouth faster than you can say “calorie count.”
4. Sweetland Candies (Grand Rapids)
Sweetland Candies in Grand Rapids is proof that sometimes, the best things come in strip mall packages.
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you – inside is a wonderland of confectionery delights that would make Willy Wonka jealous.
Their claim to fame? The chocolate-covered potato chips.
Yes, you read that right.
It’s like someone took your favorite guilty pleasure snack and said, “You know what this needs? More guilt.”
And boy, does it deliver on deliciousness.
But the real magic happens in their truffle case.
With flavors like Michigan Cherry and Grand Rapids Mud, it’s like taking a tour of the state through chocolate.
Who knew geography could be so delicious?
5. The Peanut Store (Holland)
The Peanut Store in Holland is like that quirky uncle who always has the best stories and the weirdest snacks.
This place has been around since 1902, and walking in feels like stepping into a time machine set to “delicious.”
Their specialty, unsurprisingly, is nuts.
But we’re not talking your average mixed nuts here.
These are the Rolls Royce of nuts – roasted, flavored, and candied to perfection.
The cinnamon roasted almonds smell so good, they should bottle it as a perfume.
But the real star of the show is their homemade Nutty Paddle Pops.
It’s like someone took a lollipop and said, “You know what this needs? A crunchy nut coating.”
It’s the kind of treat that makes you wonder why all lollipops aren’t covered in nuts.
6. Sayklly’s Confectionery & Gifts (Escanaba)
Sayklly’s in Escanaba is the kind of place that makes you question everything you thought you knew about candy.
This family-owned business has been around since 1906, which means they’ve had over a century to perfect the art of the sugar rush.
Their specialty is the “Yooper Bar” – a concoction of chocolate, peanut butter, and krispies that’s so good, it should be the official food of the Upper Peninsula.
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It’s like a Butterfinger and a Crunch bar had a baby, and that baby was raised by gourmet chocolatiers.
But don’t sleep on their homemade fudge.
It’s so creamy and rich, you’ll swear they must be using some sort of black magic.
Or maybe just really good dairy.
Either way, it’s worth every calorie.
And let’s not forget about their chocolate-covered cherries.
These little spheres of joy are like the superheroes of the candy world – mild-mannered on the outside, but packed with a punch of flavor that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
The chocolate shell gives way to a burst of cherry goodness that’s so perfectly balanced, it could teach a yoga class.
It’s the kind of treat that makes you wonder why you ever wasted time on lesser candies.
Seriously, after trying these, you might find yourself looking at other sweets and thinking, “I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to see other people.”
It’s not you, generic candy bar, it’s me… and my newfound love for Sayklly’s chocolates.
7. Sanders Chocolate & Ice Cream Shoppe (Clinton Twp)
Sanders in Clinton Township is like the Disneyland of dessert shops.
This place has been around since 1875, which means they were making ice cream when your great-great-grandparents were in diapers.
Their hot fudge cream puffs are the stuff of legend.
Picture this: a cloud-like puff pastry, filled with vanilla ice cream, and smothered in hot fudge.
It’s like eating a hug from your grandma, if your grandma was a world-class pastry chef.
But the real showstopper is their bumpy cake.
It’s a chocolate cake with buttercream bumps, covered in poured fudge.
It’s so good, it should be illegal.
In fact, I’m pretty sure it violates several laws of physics and good taste – in the best way possible.
8. Ryba’s Fudge Shops (Mackinac Island)
Ryba’s on Mackinac Island is to fudge what the Louvre is to art.
This place is so serious about fudge, I’m pretty sure they have a PhD program in Fudgeology.
And let’s be honest, that’s a degree I could get behind.
Watching them make fudge is like seeing a delicious magic show.
They pour, they paddle, they flip – it’s mesmerizing.
You’ll find yourself saying, “Just one more batch,” until you realize you’ve been standing there for three hours.
Their classic chocolate fudge is a must-try, but don’t sleep on the more adventurous flavors.
The Maple Pecan is like Canada and the South had a delicious baby.
And the Peanut Butter fudge? It’s so good, it’ll make you question your loyalty to actual peanut butter.
9. Sweetwater’s Donut Mill (Kalamazoo)
Okay, I know what you’re thinking.
“Donuts aren’t candy!”
To which I say: tell that to my sugar rush.
Sweetwater’s in Kalamazoo is the kind of place that makes you seriously consider moving just to be closer to their donuts.
Their specialty is the “Nutty Donuts” – imagine a donut had a wild night out with a candy bar, and this is the delicious result.
It’s covered in chocolate and peanuts, and it’s so good it should come with a warning label.
But the real showstopper is their Apple Fritter.
It’s the size of a small planet and has more apple chunks than your average orchard.
It’s so good, it makes you wonder why we even bother with regular apples anymore.
There you have it, folks – a tour of Michigan’s sweetest spots that’ll have your dentist booking a vacation home.
Remember, calories don’t count when you’re making memories… right?
And if you’re worried about sugar overload, fear not!
These candy havens are more than just sweet tooth satisfiers.
They’re living museums of confectionery history, each with its own unique story and charm.
From the nostalgic soda fountains to the mesmerizing fudge-making demonstrations, these places offer a full sensory experience.
It’s like taking a delicious trip back in time, minus the DeLorean and the flux capacitor.
Plus, think of all the walking you’ll do between shops – it’s practically a workout!
So go ahead, indulge in that extra piece of fudge or that second scoop of ice cream.
After all, you’re not just eating candy – you’re savoring a piece of Michigan’s rich (and sweet) cultural heritage.
Just maybe pack a toothbrush… or ten.