Pickle-flavored cotton candy sits on the shelf here, right next to PB&J and spicy jalapeño. That alone tells you this candy stop doesn’t play it safe.
The fudge case runs long, with flavors like strawberry cheesecake, butter pecan, and carrot cake. Saltwater taffy fills its own stretch of counter.
Fresh popcorn scents the air the moment the door swings open.
Then come the old candies. Shelves hold retro treats many of us haven’t spotted since we were kids, plus giant jawbreakers and sodas with names you’ve never heard.
I love that a Missouri highway stop can feel like a trip back to grandma’s candy dish.
And yes, people talk about the bathrooms. Chandeliers are involved.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to pull off the interstate, can you?
Exit 118 Has A Sweet Surprise Waiting
Road trips across Missouri on I-44 come with plenty of fast food signs. Redmon’s Candy Factory offers something far sweeter, right off Exit 118 in Phillipsburg.
The stop sits close to the highway, so getting on and off is easy. That matters when you’re hauling kids, grandkids, or a camper full of luggage.
Redmon’s is a candy store at heart, but it covers a lot of ground. You’ll find homemade fudge, chocolates, taffy, flavored popcorn, jams, and shelves of nostalgic candy.
A gas station is part of the setup too, so you can fill the tank and the treat bag together.
Next door stands the World’s Largest Gift Store, which adds even more to browse. The buildings look big from the road.
They feel even bigger once you’re inside.
Phillipsburg itself is a small Laclede County town, not far from Lebanon. It’s the kind of place many drivers zip right past without a second look.
Redmon’s gives them a very good reason to slow down.
So if you’ve been treating this stretch of I-44 as dead miles between Springfield and Rolla, it’s time to rethink that. A candy wonderland is waiting at the bottom of the ramp, and it’s hard to ignore once you know.
Shelves Full Of Candy From Your Grandparents’ Era
Remember the candies that used to fill the dime-store aisle? Plenty of them are hanging out at Redmon’s Candy Factory, waiting for you to rediscover them.
Shoppers mention spotting treats they hadn’t seen since childhood. That’s the real magic of the place.
You round a corner and suddenly you’re eight years old again, holding a fistful of change.
The selection mixes well-known brands with harder-to-find retro picks. Giant jawbreakers share space with classic chocolates and candies from many decades.
Even younger adults find favorites from the 1990s and early 2000s, so every generation gets its moment.
That mix makes Redmon’s a fun stop for families traveling together. Grandparents can point out the candies they bought as kids.
The grandkids can show off their own favorites right down the aisle.
Bags are available to fill, and folks tend to pack them to the brim. Fair warning, though.
One quick grab can easily turn into a full sack once nostalgia kicks in.
It’s a little like opening a time capsule, only sweeter. Bring your memories along, and maybe a story or two for the car ride home.
Somebody in the back seat will want to hear how candy used to be.
The Fudge Counter Deserves Your Full Attention
Strawberry cheesecake fudge. Dark chocolate orange fudge.
Carrot cake fudge. The flavor list at Redmon’s Candy Factory reads like a dessert menu that got carried away.
Fudge is easily the most talked-about treat here. One side of the counter is devoted to it, with a long run of flavors to choose from.
Regular chocolate is there, of course, along with butter pecan, orange creamsicle, peanut butter chocolate, and even a Snickers version.
Choosing just one is the hard part. Thankfully, free samples have been offered on fudge and chocolate treats, which helps with the big decision.
A taste or two can save you from buyer’s regret.
The fudge is made right there, which fits the factory part of the name. That homemade touch is a big part of why people keep coming back.
It feels like something from a church bake sale, just with many more flavors.
Fudge also travels well, which makes it a great road trip pick. It’s an easy gift for whoever stayed home to water the plants.
Then again, you might not share.
My advice? Grab a classic flavor and one wild card.
That way you get comfort and adventure in the same little box.
Taffy, Turtles, And Chocolate Worth The Detour
Saltwater taffy gets a whole side of the counter at Redmon’s Candy Factory. That tells you how seriously the place treats its chewy classics.
The taffy comes in countless styles and flavors. It’s the sort of candy that disappears one piece at a time until the bag is somehow empty.
Ask anyone who’s tried to save some for later.
Chocolate lovers have plenty to celebrate too. A glass window shows off the chocolates on display, which makes picking favorites fun.
Specialty treats covered in chocolate line another section of the counter.
Chocolate turtles are part of the lineup, including cashew turtles for anyone who likes a little crunch. There are also dark chocolate peanut butter graham cracker bars.
That combination sounds like a happy accident that nobody wanted to fix.
Amish malted milk balls are another treat some shoppers come back specifically to buy. They’re a nice nod to old-time candy counters.
Simple, crunchy, and easy to share around the car.
Between the taffy, turtles, and bars, it’s easy to build a sampler bag for the whole family. Grandpa can have his malted milk balls.
The kids can fight over taffy flavors in the back seat, just like always.
Popcorn Smells And Soda Coolers You Won’t Believe
Open the door and your nose gets the first greeting. The smell of fresh popcorn drifts through Redmon’s Candy Factory, mixed with sweet scents from every direction.
Flavored popcorn is a big part of the draw here. There are many varieties to pick from, so salty and sweet fans can both walk away happy.
It’s an easy snack to pass around once you’re back on I-44.
Then there’s the cotton candy, which goes wonderfully weird. Flavors have included PB&J, pancake, spicy jalapeño, and yes, pickle.
Whether anyone in your car is brave enough is another question entirely.
The drink coolers might be the most surprising part. Shoppers say they’ve never heard of half the sodas lined up inside.
Bottled root beers sit alongside quirky flavors that feel made for a road trip dare.
Old-fashioned bottled soda pairs nicely with nostalgic candy, too. It brings back memories of corner store coolers and summer afternoons.
A cold bottle can make a long drive feel a little shorter.
Jams, jellies, and preserves round out the shelves for those who want something to take home. A jar makes a thoughtful souvenir.
It also lasts longer than the fudge, which is saying something.
Yes, Everyone Really Does Talk About These Bathrooms
Chandeliers in a roadside restroom sound like a tall tale. At Redmon’s Candy Factory, they’re the real deal, and they’ve earned a little fame of their own.
The restrooms are spacious, clean, and surprisingly fancy. Sparkling chandeliers and beautiful mirrors set the scene.
Some folks have called them the best bathrooms in Missouri, which is quite a title for a candy stop.
One tip worth remembering involves which building you choose. Many shoppers recommend the restrooms at the candy store rather than the gift shop side.
That’s where the chandeliers live.
It might seem funny to build a road trip plan around a bathroom. Anyone who has driven long hours with kids or grandparents knows better.
A clean, roomy restroom can turn a cranky car into a cheerful one.
Some people find the elegant decor a fun contrast with the candy vibe. You go from bins of taffy to a room that feels more like a hotel lobby.
It’s a little unexpected, and that’s part of the charm.
So go ahead and take a peek, even if you don’t strictly need to. You’ll have a story for the folks back home.
They probably won’t believe you without a picture.
Save Time For The World’s Largest Gift Store Next Door
Candy is only half the adventure. Right beside Redmon’s Candy Factory sits the World’s Largest Gift Store, and it lives up to the big name with room to spare.
Inside, you’ll find quirky T-shirts, hilarious socks, toys, and all sorts of unique gifts. Families often plan a quick peek and end up exploring much longer.
It’s easy to lose track of time between the aisles.
The gift store makes a fine place to stretch your legs after hours in the car. Grandkids can hunt for a fun souvenir while the grown-ups browse.
Everybody walks back to the car with something.
Here’s the timing catch. The gift store closes much earlier than the candy shop, with some shoppers noting it shuts around 5 p.m.
If you roll in during the evening, you may miss it.
That makes an earlier visit the smart move if you want the full experience. Plan a midday stop and you can enjoy both buildings at an easy pace.
Hours can change, so it’s wise to call ahead before you count on it.
The candy and gift sides pair together nicely. One handles the sweet tooth.
The other handles that birthday present you forgot to buy.
Easy Parking, Long Hours, And Room For Big Rigs
Good news for early birds and night owls alike. Redmon’s Candy Factory opens at 7:30 a.m. and stays open until 9 p.m., seven days a week.
Those long hours make it a handy stop on almost any Missouri drive. Morning coffee-and-candy run?
Works. Late-evening sugar emergency?
Also works.
You’ll find it at 330 Pine St, Phillipsburg, MO 65722, right off Exit 118 on I-44. Parking is plentiful, with space for trucks and RVs.
Travelers pulling trailers or tow vehicles have found room to maneuver too.
There’s even a gas station on site. That means you can refuel the car and grab snacks without making a second stop.
Road trip efficiency doesn’t get much sweeter than that.
Prices weren’t something we could confirm, so plan your budget based on how big your candy bag gets. Some folks admit it’s easy to spend more than planned here.
Everything looks tempting, and the bags fill quickly.
Remember that the gift store keeps shorter hours than the candy side. Hours can also shift around holidays or seasons.
A quick call before you head out is always a good idea for small Missouri stops like this one.
A Sweet Stop Worth Telling The Whole Family About
With a 4.6-star rating across more than 9,000 Google reviews, Redmon’s Candy Factory clearly has plenty of fans. That’s a lot of happy sweet tooths.
Not every visit is perfect, of course. A few shoppers have mentioned uneven customer service on certain days.
Most, though, describe friendly staff, a clean store, and a genuinely fun stop.
What makes Redmon’s special is how many generations it pleases at once. Grandparents get the old-fashioned candies they remember.
Kids get wild cotton candy flavors and sodas with silly names.
It’s also a refreshing break from the usual chain stops along I-44. You get homemade fudge, taffy, popcorn, and a spotless restroom with chandeliers.
Not bad for a quick pull-off in Phillipsburg.
I believe the best road trip stops are the ones you tell people about afterward. Redmon’s fits that perfectly.
It’s the kind of place you mention to your sister, your neighbor, and the folks at church.
So next time you’re crossing Missouri, plan a little extra time at Exit 118. Fill a bag, try a sample, and maybe brave that pickle cotton candy.
Then send a photo to whoever used to buy you candy as a kid.
