Step inside Massachusetts, and you might just stumble into a time machine…
These old-school candy shops haven’t just survived—they’ve thrived, holding onto jars of penny candies, hand-pulled taffy, and fudge that tastes like it came straight from your childhood memories.
Walking through their doors is like flipping open a storybook filled with sugar, chocolate, and nostalgia. Each shop hums with the sweet history of families who’ve spent decades perfecting recipes and curating shelves of classic treats.
From Salem to Shrewsbury, these beloved candy destinations prove that some traditions are too delicious to ever fade away. Grab a handful of retro sweets and let your taste buds dance through decades of sugary magic.
Ye Olde Pepper Companie — Salem
Walk into Ye Olde Pepper Companie and the scent alone tells you this is not a trend, it is tradition. Salem’s cobblestone charm meets handcrafted candy that still follows centuries-old methods.
You can almost hear the past in every crunch of a Gibraltar, a crystalline peppermint or lemon lozenge that cools your palate and warms your memory. Blackjacks, striped and glossy, add a molasses-kissed chew that feels like New England in candy form.
Friendly staff gladly guide you toward the classics while sharing little stories that make each piece feel personal.
The shelves are a parade of heritage sweets, ribbon candy stacked like stained glass, and chocolates that snap with a clean temper. You will love the simple packaging, the way it respects flavor over flash.
There is a calm confidence to their craft, a we-have-done-this-forever steadiness you can taste. If you like gifts, their neatly boxed assortments travel well and arrive with gravitas.
Take a moment by the window and let the afternoon light turn the jars into candy cathedrals.
Ask about seasonal specialties and watch how the room seems to glow with nostalgia. You are not just buying candy here, you are learning why certain textures and tastes endure.
The conversation often turns to family memories, and that feels right in a shop this storied. Try a Gibraltar alongside a dark chocolate bark for contrast.
Then step back outside, pockets rattling, satisfied that some traditions never fade.
Wayside Country Store — Marlborough
At the Wayside Country Store, history is not just on the walls, it is under your feet in the creak of those old floorboards. The building dates to 1790, and you feel every decade in the beams and glass.
Rows of jars brim with gumdrops, caramels, and bright taffies that bring out your inner kid faster than you can point. Fudge sits proudly on marble, cut thick and generous, with swirls that promise a soft, buttery finish.
The air tastes like sugar and time.
You will find classics arranged with loving precision, plus shelves of regional treats that reward slow browsing. The staff offers patient, old-fashioned service, the kind that remembers faces and favorite flavors.
Pick up a paper bag and scoop with delight, knowing it will rustle like a memory. There is always a surprise, maybe a vintage soda or a malted milk ball that melts just right.
Each detail invites you to slow down.
For gifting, the store excels at charming assortments that look straight from a sepia postcard. The packaging is modest, the flavors confident.
Step onto the porch and you might catch a breeze that smells faintly of cocoa and wood. It is easy to imagine generations doing the same.
When you leave, you carry not only sweets but a small piece of Massachusetts history, tucked beside the fudgy squares and striped candy sticks.
Furlong’s Candies & Ice Cream — Norwood
Furlong’s has that family-run heartbeat you can sense the moment you step inside. For more than 90 years, this Norwood favorite has poured dedication into caramel, chocolate, and the kind of sundaes that turn a quick stop into a lingering pause.
The chocolate case gleams with hand-dipped clusters, buttercrunch that snaps, and turtles pooled with glossy caramel. Your biggest challenge is narrowing the choices.
The staff helps with genuine warmth and a few spot-on samples.
Order an old-fashioned sundae and listen for the clink of metal scoops. Hot fudge is thick, bittersweet, and unapologetically generous.
Whipped cream arrives like a cloud, cherry perched and ready. You can taste the craft in every spoonful, a balance of cream, sugar, and restraint that keeps flavors clear.
If caramel is your weakness, you will find soft-centered squares that stretch just enough to make you grin.
Bring the kids, or just the kid in you, and lean into the moment. The shop’s pace encourages conversation and quick friendships over the case glass.
Holiday assortments sparkle here, with ribbons and seasonal shapes that feel hand-touched. Grab a box for someone you love, and a hidden bag for yourself.
As you head out, night air meeting warm fudge on your breath, you will already be planning a return for that sundae you almost ordered.
The Penny Candy Store — Sharon
The Penny Candy Store is pure time travel, a bright lane of bins that dares you to choose just one. Licorice whips loop like ribbons, sour belts sparkle with sugar crystals, and wax bottles wait for that tiny, triumphant bite.
You grab a scoop and suddenly remember allowance days and paper bags. The thrill is not complicated, it is joyful and immediate.
Staff keep the vibe light, ready with suggestions and smiles.
Expect a huge range of retro favorites alongside modern munchies. There are candy buttons, jawbreakers, and chewy squares that feel exactly as you remember.
The bins make it easy to build a rainbow of sweets, perfect for parties, gifts, or a nostalgic movie night. Prices and portions invite play, so you can sample widely without overthinking.
It is the rare shop where spontaneity is the point.
Parents love sharing their childhood picks, and kids get to claim new favorites of their own. The store’s energy is bright but unhurried, giving you time to compare flavors and trade stories.
If you like a theme, build a bag around one color, one decade, or one flavor family. The checkout line is friendly, more reunion than transaction.
Walking out, you feel lighter, pockets crinkling, ready to ration the fun or eat it all today.
Hilliards Chocolates — North Easton
Hilliards has been sweetening Massachusetts since 1924, and you taste that continuity in every clean chocolate snap. The shop feels anchored by family tradition, with glass cases lined like jewelry displays.
Buttercrunch glitters with toasted almonds, and seasonal shells and leaves show off meticulous molds. Staff recommend pairings that respect balance, steering you toward a bright fruit cream after a deep dark truffle.
There is craftsmanship here, but also approachable warmth.
Look for regional favorites that feel distinctly New England, from molasses chews to maple-kissed pieces. Caramel is a specialty, soft yet structured, shining without overwhelming the chocolate.
Boxes are packed with care, making them easy gifts that actually impress. If you like a tour of textures, build a sampler that goes nutty, creamy, crunchy, then smooth.
Your palate will thank you for the rhythm.
The store itself invites lingering, especially around holidays when ribboned stacks rise in festive towers. You can watch the case reflections dance as you decide, and somehow the right choice appears.
This is where traditions begin, then repeat each year with comforting predictability. Take home an extra piece for later and let it mark the evening.
Hilliards leaves you with the delicious sense that quality and kindness never go out of style.
Gowell’s Home Made Candy — Brockton
Gowell’s Home Made Candy feels like a neighborhood secret everyone is happy to share. The counters are lined with hand-cut fudge and trays of chocolates that look inviting rather than fussy.
Buttercreams dome softly, nut clusters shine with tempered gloss, and caramels hold just enough pull. You can tell the recipes come from a time when flavor ruled and shortcuts were not part of the plan.
Ask for a recommendation and expect an honest, thoughtful guide.
The vibe is vintage without trying too hard, built on repetition and skill. Freshness is obvious, from the aroma to the just-made sheen.
There is often a seasonal surprise, maybe a berry cream in summer or a peppermint bark that lands right when the air turns crisp. Prices are fair, which makes experimenting easy and gifting less of a guess.
Your bag ends up fuller than expected, and that is the best problem.
Bring a friend and split boxes to maximize tasting. The staff shares quick stories that deepen the experience, like why a certain recipe stuck or how a local favorite began.
Everything feels approachable, from classic turtles to playful sprinkled pieces. As you step outside, the last sweet note lingers.
Gowell’s proves that a steady hand and a respectful recipe can make even a simple chocolate feel extraordinary.
Mrs. Nelson’s Candy House — Chelmsford
Mrs. Nelson’s Candy House feels like visiting a favorite neighbor who always happens to have chocolate. The mid-century charm comes through in playful signage, tidy cases, and a bright, welcoming smile at the counter.
Classics lead the way, from peanut butter cups with a perfect salt balance to chocolate-covered pretzels that crunch cleanly. You will find buttercreams, jellies, and bark that breaks with a satisfying snap.
Everything whispers community first, candy always.
Locals swing by for gifts, knowing the boxes look sweet without screaming for attention. Seasonal shapes bring cheer, while year-round standards keep the cravings met.
The recipes lean timeless and trustworthy, honoring the region’s fondness for straightforward flavor. It is the kind of place where you chat about weekend plans while picking out caramels.
That neighborly rhythm is part of the treat.
Bring the kids for a lesson in choosing thoughtfully, or browse solo and let instinct guide you. The staff is generous with advice and never pushy.
If you like a theme, build a box around textures, alternating soft centers and crunchy nuts. On the way out, the bell jingles, and you feel pleasantly rooted.
Mrs. Nelson’s delivers what candy should: a pause, a smile, and a reason to come back soon.
The Candy Shoppe — Millbury
The Candy Shoppe in Millbury thrives on small-town friendliness and big flavor. The display cases hold handmade chocolates that look lovingly finished, not factory perfect.
Truffles nestle beside nut clusters, and there is always a ribboned box ready for a quick gift. Jars of vintage candies line the shelves, encouraging the kind of browsing that turns five minutes into thirty.
The owner’s warm hello sets the tone immediately.
You will enjoy the balance of old and new, where malt balls share space with sea salt caramels. Recommendations feel personal, like a friend steering you toward a match made for your taste buds.
If you crave texture, grab bark that breaks in clean, satisfying shards. For a softer mood, choose creams that melt slowly into pure flavor.
The prices invite a little adventure, so say yes to something unexpected.
Kids point, adults reminisce, and everyone leaves happier than they arrived. The shop excels at thoughtful wrapping, so last-minute gifts still look intentional.
Holidays bring themed shapes and playful colors without losing the handcrafted soul. Take your bag to the nearest bench and sample before you even reach the car.
The Candy Shoppe proves that charm and quality make the sweetest team.
Hebert Candies — Shrewsbury
Hebert Candies has the rare brag of a Candy Mansion, and it lives up to the name. Founded in 1917, this Shrewsbury landmark brings a touch of grandeur to the candy run.
Inside, the cases glow with handcrafted chocolates that balance elegance and comfort. Buttercrunch crackles with toasted almonds, while truffles land with silky precision.
Staff move with polished ease, ready to guide you toward the perfect assortment.
The mansion setting adds a ceremony to even a small purchase. Marble counters reflect neat rows of pralines, and ribbons crown boxes like little celebrations.
Seasonal windows sparkle, making holiday visits extra magical. Yet nothing feels stuffy, because the flavors remain grounded and generous.
You get the sense of legacy carefully tended, not locked behind glass.
Pick a mix of dark, milk, and white to chart a full tasting path. Add a nod to New England with maple accents or molasses chews.
For gifting, Hebert’s presentation turns a simple thank-you into an event. Linger on the grounds for a minute and let the day slow down.
When you leave, the mansion fades in the rearview, but the chocolate story continues at home, square by square.
Curly Girl Candy Shop — Salem
Curly Girl Candy Shop brings a playful spark to Salem’s historic streets. The shelves tilt toward whimsy, with retro finds beside handmade treats that feel fresh and fun.
You might spot candy necklaces next to small-batch caramels, or gummies stacked like tiny mosaics. The energy is bright, the music peppy, and the welcome immediate.
It is the kind of place that reminds you candy is supposed to be joyful.
Staff happily point you toward local makers and limited runs. That means there is usually something new to discover, even if you pop in often.
Build a bag that swings from tart to creamy to chewy, and call it research. The variety makes gifting easy, especially for friends who love color and surprise.
Displays are Instagram-ready without losing sincerity.
Take a moment to admire the handmade pieces, where flavor leads the design. A salted caramel here, a chocolate-dipped fruit there, and suddenly you have a perfect afternoon.
The checkout chat might include a Salem tidbit or two, adding local flavor to the literal kind. Step outside and the old town architecture frames your candy haul.
Curly Girl leaves you smiling, pockets sweet and spirits lighter.
Candy Time — Marlborough
Candy Time does exactly what the name promises: it turns minutes into candy memories. Rows of bins invite a hands-on hunt for favorites, from chewy classics to neon sours that make you pucker on purpose.
Retro wrappers line the shelves like a scrapbook you can eat. You grab a bag, weigh your options, and let instinct win.
The staff keeps it easy, friendly, and fun.
This is a great stop for mixed crowds, because everyone finds a lane. Parents point out old loves, kids discover bold new flavors, and teens build color-coded bags for the aesthetic.
Prices are approachable, so you can sample widely without worry. The selection shifts with the seasons, but the spirit stays steady and nostalgic.
It is a simple formula done right.
For parties and movie nights, Candy Time shines, offering volume without sacrificing variety. You can also assemble thoughtful, quirky gifts that feel personal and playful.
The store rewards curiosity, so peek at every row and ask for hidden gems. Walk out with a rustling bag and a grin you cannot hide.
On the drive home, there is a good chance you will break into your stash before the first red light.