Sweet tooths, ready your senses! Missouri isn’t just the Show‑Me State — it’s the Show‑Me THE CANDY state.
From fudge counters that stretch for days to candy walls stacked with every sugary dream you’ve ever had, this place will steal your heart and your diet.
These 13 beloved candy shops aren’t random pit stops.
They’re legendary stops along backroads and downtown streets where locals whisper about secret flavors and visitors snap photos of towering taffy displays.
You’ll find tiny storefronts bursting with old‑school charm, roadside wonders with quirky names, and chocolate shops that make grown adults squeal like kids.
Whether you crave silky truffles, saltwater taffy, caramel corn that’s just right, or retro sweets you thought vanished forever — Missouri serves it up with flair and a wink.
Redmon’s Candy Factory – Phillipsburg, MO
Redmon’s Candy Factory feels like the road trip jackpot the second you pull off the highway. Barrels of saltwater taffy in dozens of bright flavors line the aisles, practically begging for a taste test.
You can graze through bulk bins, eye the chocolate covered pretzels, and watch slabs of creamy fudge get cut to order while the whole place smells like childhood.
It is the kind of store where you grab a basket and suddenly it is full of nostalgia. Sodas in quirky flavors create a choose your own adventure, from blue raspberry to buttered popcorn.
The staff keeps samples flowing and recommendations honest, so you leave with the right mix of classics and something daring that becomes a new favorite.
Road trippers love how easy it is to stock up for the miles ahead. Families split a bag of taffy while plotting which fudge square gets unwrapped first.
Whether you want peanut brittle that snaps just right or a scoop of gummies by the pound, Redmon’s makes it fun to be a kid again, no matter your age.
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store – Uranus, MO
Route 66 travelers know you cannot miss the cheeky signs and bright storefront of Uranus Fudge Factory. Inside, the joke stops at the door and the real business begins with thick, creamy fudge sliced into generous squares.
The general store energy means you will discover candies, souvenirs, and plenty of photo ops that make the stop unforgettable.
What keeps people coming back is the texture and flavor lineup. Think classic chocolate, maple nut, peanut butter, and seasonal swirls that sell out fast.
Staff members pack boxes like pros so everything survives the highway, and they always suggest a flavor you would not have picked that turns into a keeper.
Beyond the laughs, the place is seriously dialed for candy lovers. Old school jars, saltwater taffy, and chocolate dipped treats mingle with modern novelties.
Grab a bag for the car, snap a picture for the group chat, and settle in for that first creamy bite that proves the hype is real.
Nellie’s Sweet Shoppe – Smithville, MO
Nellie’s Sweet Shoppe brings Main Street charm to life with the soft glow of a fudge case and the steady clink of candy scoops. You will find hand dipped chocolates, caramels with a buttery pull, and old school bag and weigh bins that spark instant nostalgia.
The whole place feels like a gentle throwback where your favorites still taste homemade.
Saltwater taffy rolls in cheerful colors, while seasonal treats keep locals on their toes. Around holidays, boxes of truffles and peppermint bark stack up like little celebrations.
The staff is quick with samples and stories, which turns a simple purchase into a sweet conversation and a reason to linger.
What makes Nellie’s special is the rhythm of a family run shop that remembers your usual. Grab a quarter pound of fudge, a handful of gummies for the kids, and a ribbon tied assortment for later.
It is the kind of candy run that turns a regular afternoon into something worth remembering.
Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop – St. Louis, MO
Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop channels classic candy craft with recipes that stretch back to the 1940s. Step inside and you are met with a treasure wall of chocolates, fudges, toffees, and caramels, each batch made with careful attention.
The vibe is nostalgic without feeling dusty, thanks to bright displays and a staff that clearly loves candy talk.
You can taste tradition in every bite. Caramel pulls soft then settles into buttery richness, while toffee snaps clean under a glossy coat of chocolate.
Fudge comes in layered flavors that stack perfectly in a gift box or your own secret stash, because sharing is optional and sometimes impossible.
Retro novelties round out the shelves for those chasing first candy memories. Mix a bag of throwbacks and modern chews, then add a few hand picked truffles for good measure.
It is the sweet spot where craftsmanship meets fun, and where you leave plotting the next visit before the last piece disappears.
Candy House Gourmet – Joplin, MO
Candy House Gourmet is a longtime Joplin favorite where scratch made classics still set the tone. Watch brittle get poured, toffee cooled, and fudge ribbons smoothed into glossy perfection.
Sea salt caramels strike that ideal bite between chewy and silky, the kind that goes missing one square at a time before you realize the box is gone.
Seasonal treats keep things exciting, especially chocolate dipped strawberries that feel like tiny celebrations. Divinity shows up like a cloud, light and nostalgic.
Staff suggestions are spot on whether you are a dark chocolate devotee or a peanut cluster loyalist, and they box everything neatly for gifting.
What keeps the crowds coming is the consistency. Every visit tastes like the best version of your memory, only fresher.
Swing by for a mixed pound, add a brittle shard for the drive, and leave feeling like you scored a local secret you will brag about to friends.
The Candy Factory – Columbia, MO
The Candy Factory in Columbia dresses chocolate like it is ready for a special occasion. Truffles gleam in tidy rows, each with a distinctive finish and a flavor map that invites exploring.
Caramels wear a whisper of sea salt, while chocolate covered fruit balances brightness with rich coats that crack just right.
It is a shop that understands gifting as much as tasting. Ribbons, boxes, and custom assortments turn a simple pick up into something you are proud to hand over.
Around holidays, the shelves bloom with themed treats and thoughtful pairings that make decision making the only hard part.
Stop in for a box that mixes classics with a few bold flavors, and trust the staff to guide your picks. The result is a little tour of textures and cocoa strengths that keeps you nibbling.
Whether you are celebrating big or just brightening Tuesday, this is chocolate that makes moments.
Northwoods Candy Emporium – Branson, MO
Northwoods Candy Emporium is packed with the kind of variety that lights up every sweet tooth. Think towering shelves of retro favorites, rows of gummies in every shape, and chocolate bars stacked like a library of indulgence.
The lodge like decor adds cozy charm while the selection swings from regional treats to worldwide curiosities.
You can spend a long time here building the perfect bag. Mix pucker sour belts with malt balls, toss in chocolate covered nuts, then chase it with a few novelty finds for the ride home.
The staff is upbeat and quick with recommendations, especially for giftable combinations.
Families love the nostalgia hits that spark stories from parents and grandparents. Kids marvel at candy they have never seen, and everyone leaves with something just right.
It is a Branson stop that turns browsing into a shared memory, one handful of sweets at a time.
Nuts & Candy – Ballwin, MO
Nuts & Candy in Ballwin proves that a small shop can pack real delight. Fresh roasted nuts perfume the room, and the chocolate covered almonds have that glossy snap that keeps you fishing for one more.
Shelves of classic candies sit alongside jelly fruits, caramels, and chewy favorites you will want by the handful.
The charm is simple and genuine. Staff remember faces, suggest new arrivals, and will happily split a pound into smaller bags for sharing.
Prices feel friendly, and the mix and match style makes it easy to build a snack lineup for movie night or a weekend drive.
When you want a low key treat run that still feels special, this place delivers. You can balance salty with sweet, go heavy on nuts, or lean into chocolate without regret.
It becomes a routine you look forward to, because every scoop tastes fresh and thoughtfully stocked.
Bon Bon’s Candy House – Springfield, MO
Bon Bon’s Candy House is the place for unique finds that make gifts feel personal. Shelves rotate with seasonal themes, from pastel spring treats to cozy autumn chocolates.
You will spot playful gummies, artisan bars, and specialty items that turn a simple basket into a conversation starter.
The staff is unfailingly kind, guiding you toward flavors that match your cravings. Need something for a birthday, a thank you, or just a pick me up for yourself.
They will assemble an assortment that looks great and tastes even better, with thoughtful ribbons and tidy boxes.
Locals love popping in for a few small fun things that brighten the week. Expect to leave with a surprise or two you did not plan on, like a limited batch caramel or a color themed mix.
It is a cheerful stop where candy shopping feels light, easy, and just a little bit fancy.
Sugar Shack – Kirkwood, MO
Sugar Shack in Kirkwood is a throwback paradise stacked with decades of candy history. You will see shelves that jump from 1920s classics to modern must haves, all arranged so you can time travel with a paper bag and a scoop.
The energy is playful, with neon pops and jars that sparkle under bright lights.
It is the perfect place to teach kids about candy legends while you rediscover your own. Grab wax bottles, candy cigarettes, or taffy that tastes like summers past.
Then balance it with current favorites, because sour gummies and chocolate bars belong in the same bag.
Service is upbeat and quick to help you find that one memory candy you can almost name. Prices make sampling easy, and the checkout chatter is half the fun.
You leave buzzing with stories and a bag that crinkles like a happy soundtrack.
The Caramel House – Olivette, MO
The Caramel House is a love letter to slow cooked sugar, butter, and cream. You can taste the care in every square, from the first soft give to the buttery finish that lingers.
Flavors tilt classic with thoughtful twists, like sea salt, vanilla bean, and seasonal notes that keep regulars coming back.
The shop is small in the best way, with copper pots and tidy trays that signal handmade. Boxes dress up nicely for gifts, and the team packs them so each piece arrives perfect.
If you are new, start with the original and one salted variety to feel the difference in balance.
Everything here whispers patience and pride. It is candy made with love and it shows in the texture, shine, and restraint.
One bite convinces you to slow down, savor, and maybe tuck an extra box away for a rainy day.
Riverside Sweets – St. Charles, MO
Riverside Sweets brings the best of a small town candy and ice cream shop under one friendly roof. Stroll historic Main Street, then duck inside for jars of taffy, chocolate clusters, and a cool scoop to wander with.
The wood floors creak a little, and that only adds to the cozy, time worn charm.
There is something grounding about a place that still sells treats the old fashioned way. Kids count change at the counter while parents point out their favorites.
Gift bins make it easy to grab a ready made surprise, or you can build your own with candies by the scoop.
It is a reliable stop whether you want a quick sweet or a sit and chat moment. Grab a caramel apple in fall, chocolate bunnies in spring, and fudge all year long.
The memories stack up as quickly as the treats.
Lolli & Pops – Springfield, MO
Lolli & Pops in Springfield looks like a candy dream closet with pastel shelves and shining jars. The selection leans boutique, pulling in international gummies, premium chocolate bars, and color coordinated gifts that photograph beautifully.
Prices run higher, but the curation and packaging make it feel like a tiny celebration in a bag.
Staff help you navigate imports and limited runs so you pick winners. Sample flights and themed boxes let you taste around before committing.
If you are hunting for something unexpected, this is where you find a flavor you did not know existed.
It is a browse worthy stop when you want to treat yourself or surprise a friend. Grab a global mix, a luxe truffle or two, and a fizzy soda for the walk.
You will leave smiling and already planning the next little splurge.