If you have ever wished you could step into a candy daydream, Baker’s Candies in Greenwood is your portal.
The moment you walk through the doors, neon colors, retro labels, and the sweet aroma of chocolate flip your inner kid switch.
With free Kool Aid sips, friendly staff, and aisles that seem to stretch forever, it is easy to lose track of time.
Consider this your cue to plan a delicious little detour.
The Iconic Meltaway Chocolates
Start with the meltaways. They are the reason so many Nebraskans claim Baker’s as their happy place, and the reason you will suddenly feel seven years old again.
Each silky square is wrapped in gleaming foil, and the flavors read like a greatest hits playlist of Midwest comfort: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, mint, and seasonal surprises. Unwrap one and it practically sighs in your hand, then melts away with that smooth butterlike finish that made the brand famous.
You will understand the 4.9 star love the instant it dissolves.
What makes them different is consistency and pride. Staff will tell you which batch just cooled, and you can sample without pressure while you decide which bag to fill.
There is a kind of Nebraska hospitality baked into the process that makes the transaction feel like a conversation. If you are gluten sensitive, ask about the classic meltaways being gluten free.
It is a relief to find indulgence that plays nice with your needs.
Bring a plan or you will fill a cart. Locals swear by mint for road trips between Omaha and Lincoln, but the dark chocolate is pure evening couch therapy.
The gift bags look sharp and travel well, which is helpful if you are rocketing down I-80 and need souvenirs that will not get squashed. Pro tip: buy an extra pouch because someone at home will call dibs.
Then stash a few squares in the console for emergency morale boosts.
Free Kool Aid On Tap
You notice it right away, a bright corner with little cups and a sign that practically winks at you: free Kool Aid. It is a playful nod to Nebraska history, and it pairs perfectly with a handful of chocolate samples.
Take a sip of fruit punch, then cherry, and suddenly the candy decisions get more fun. This is not just about hydration, it is about the grin that sneaks onto your face when childhood memories bubble up.
You can browse longer without fatigue.
The staff keeps the station tidy and refreshed, so you will not feel awkward trying more than one flavor. Kids light up, adults loosen up, and everyone gets invited to join the tasting club.
It is rare to see a store use something so simple to make the experience feel welcoming. You are not rushed, just gently encouraged to explore.
It sets a lighthearted tone that lingers even after checkout.
Pro move: test a sweet-tart Kool Aid alongside a mint meltaway for a cooling contrast. If you are planning a road trip picnic, grab bottled sodas too and make a mixed beverage lineup for the car.
The free sip ritual becomes a memory anchor for the visit. When you pour a glass at home later, you will think of the aisles, the music, and that first burst of cherry.
Sometimes joy really does come in a little paper cup.
Retro Candy Wonderland
This is where nostalgia goes widescreen. One aisle turns into five, then ten, and each shelf overflows with familiar wrappers you have not seen in years.
There are candy buttons, wax bottles, jawbreakers, and licorice wheels that dare you to test your patience. You are not just shopping, you are time traveling without a ticket.
Every grab feels like a little reunion with a summer you loved.
The layout makes it easy to wander and discover. Items are grouped thoughtfully, so you can hop from fruity throwbacks to chewy classics, then over to sour stunners that will make your cheeks tingle.
The prices are reasonable enough that you can build a sampler bag without guilt. You will appreciate the neat labels and clear bins, especially if you are hunting for a very specific memory candy.
Ask the team for help and they will point you straight to it.
Make a game out of it. Pick one candy from your childhood, one you have never tried, and one to gift.
If you are visiting with family, trade stories about where you first tasted each one. The nostalgia becomes a shared experience that outlasts the sugar rush.
When you pay, the bag crinkles like a soundtrack and you walk out feeling lighter. That is the magic of a good old fashioned candy hunt.
Fudge Case Favorites
Do not skip the fudge case. It sits there like a chocolate skyline with ribbons of caramel, peanut butter swirls, and seasonal specials that sell out quicker than you would expect.
The texture lands perfectly between creamy and substantial, so a square feels generous without being cloying. Ask for a sample, because they want you to love what you take home.
The team will gladly walk you through best sellers and sleepers.
Peanut butter chocolate is a crowd favorite for good reason, but keep an eye out for limited runs. Some weekends feature maple, others showcase sea salt riffs that play beautifully with a dark meltaway.
The case is spotless, and the cuts are elegant, which makes gifting easy. If you need to travel, ask for wrapping tips to keep the fudge happy in the car.
You will thank yourself a few hours down the highway.
Pairing is half the fun. Grab a bottle of root beer or cream soda and let the vanilla and caramel notes amplify the fudge richness.
At a picnic table, slice modest squares and pass them around so everyone gets a taste tour. The portion control helps you stretch the treat into the week.
Then, when the last corner disappears, you will find yourself planning a quiet excuse to return. That is how traditions begin.
Saltwater Taffy Wall
You will spot the taffy wall from across the store. It is a rainbow in motion, with barrels and bins that sparkle under bright lights.
Flavors stretch from classic vanilla and peppermint to wildcards like huckleberry and birthday cake. The scoops clink against acrylic as you fill a bag to the brim, trying to balance favorites with fresh curiosities.
It is oddly relaxing to choose one pastel piece at a time.
Taffy is a great road trip companion because it slows you down. Each wrapper demands a moment, giving you a sweet excuse to linger between exits.
The chew is soft, not tooth threatening, and the flavor blooms instead of blasting. Staff keep the bins labeled and rotated so you are always pulling from fresh stock.
If you are picking for a group, label small bags by flavor for quick sharing.
Pro tip: toss in a few sour or cinnamon pieces to wake up the mix. Pair taffy with a tart soda or a sip of Kool Aid to create little palate resets.
The wall invites you to play with color and texture like a candy DJ. When you finally tie off the bag, it looks like a party favor you made for yourself.
That feeling is worth the scoop alone.
Nebraska Made Goodies
Baker’s Candies celebrates Nebraska with gusto. Beyond the chocolates, you will find shelves of local snacks that feel like a road map of the state.
There are popcorn varieties for movie nights, jarred pickles and relishes that spark up sandwiches, and beef jerky that rides shotgun on long drives. It is a hyper local experience that makes the store feel like a community pantry.
You taste Nebraska, one bite at a time.
These shelves solve gifting beautifully. Build a basket with meltaways, a jar of something tangy, and a bag of kettle corn for crunch.
Everything packs well, and the price points make it easy to curate without overspending. Staff happily share which makers are from nearby towns and what pairs well with what.
You leave with stories attached to your snacks, not just barcodes.
If you are visiting friends in Lincoln or Omaha, show up with a Nebraska sampler and watch conversation bloom. At home, stash the jerky for hikes and the popcorn for late nights.
The local angle turns a candy stop into a culinary tour, and you will likely discover a new favorite pantry staple. Keep the website handy in case you want to reorder.
Supporting local tastes even sweeter when it is this easy.
Bottled Soda Wall
The bottled soda wall is a showstopper. Row after row of glass bottles gleam like stained glass, each promising bubbles with personality.
You will find root beer lineups, cream sodas, sarsaparillas, and quirky flavors that dare you to be bold. It is part museum, part tasting flight waiting to happen.
Grab a carrier and start building your six pack.
Balance comfort with curiosity. Anchor the set with a classic root beer, then add a daring pick like blackberry or butter beer.
Staff can steer you toward hidden gems and seasonal arrivals. If you are pairing with candy, consider citrus soda to slice through rich chocolate, or a vanilla cream to cuddle up with fudge.
The fizz keeps your palate lively as you browse.
These bottles make great gifts and better road trip companions. Chill them in a cooler and stage mini tastings at rest stops.
The clink of glass feels celebratory and turns a basic drive into an event. Save the caps if you are crafty, they make fun souvenirs.
By the time you reach your destination, you will have a favorite and a funny new flavor story.
Sugar Free and Keto Picks
Dietary needs do not sideline joy here. Baker’s makes room for sugar free and keto friendly options, so you can browse with confidence and still feel included in the fun.
Labels are clear, staff are informed, and samples sometimes include alternatives so everyone gets a taste. The selection spans chocolates, hard candies, and even snack mixes.
You will not feel like you are making a compromise.
For chocolate cravings, look for low sugar meltaway style bites that keep texture front and center. Pair them with salted nuts from the local shelves for a balanced treat.
If you miss fruity pops, there are options that deliver bright flavor without the crash. Ask about what is currently in stock, because inventory rotates with demand.
The team is happy to help you compare ingredients and macros.
Bring these picks to gatherings and watch them vanish alongside the classic sweets. When choices are thoughtful, everyone gets to play.
It is refreshing to find a candy store that treats inclusivity as standard, not special. You leave feeling cared for, not singled out.
That kindness tastes just as sweet as the candy.
Road Trip Stop Between Omaha and Lincoln
Baker’s sits perfectly between Omaha and Lincoln, which makes it a natural pit stop when you need a morale boost. The parking is easy, the hours are generous, and the store opens at 9 AM most days so you can swing through early.
Music bounces lightly through the aisles, and the layout helps you make quick decisions if the clock is ticking. But let’s be honest, you will want a few extra minutes to explore.
If you are road tripping with kids, set a budget and give everyone a mini mission. One retro, one local, one wild card.
It turns a quick stop into a scavenger hunt. Adults can grab coffee nearby and then raid the soda wall for the cooler.
The staff keep everything tidy so it is easy in and out even on busy weekends.
Timing tips help. Sundays open at noon, so plan accordingly, and weekdays are a breeze if you pop in mid afternoon.
Free samples and cool air make this a perfect reset after highway monotony. When you pull back onto US 6, the car smells like chocolate and everyone is grinning.
That is what a great stop does.
Friendly Staff and Easy Layout
What you will remember, long after the last meltaway disappears, is how easy everything felt. The aisles are wide, the signage is clear, and there is always someone nearby who seems genuinely excited to help.
Ask about a flavor and you get a story, not a script. You will feel like a regular even if it is your first visit.
That warmth sets the tone for the whole experience.
The store’s recent expansion shows in the breathing room. Displays are thoughtfully spaced, so families and strollers can move without awkward traffic jams.
Sample stations are placed where you can pause and decide without blocking anyone. It is the kind of design that respects your time.
You end up browsing more because stress never enters the chat.
Use that ease to your advantage. Start with a quick lap, then circle back to favorites so you do not overload your basket in the first five minutes.
When you check out, the team bags items smartly to survive the drive. A little care goes a long way, and they deliver it with smiles.
That is why people keep coming back.
Planning Your Visit
Set your GPS to 831 S Baker St in Greenwood and prepare for instant good mood. Hours run 9 AM to 6 PM most days, noon to 5 PM on Sundays, which makes planning simple.
If you are cruising I-80, this is an easy detour that pays off in smiles. Call ahead if you are coordinating a group stop, or check the website for seasonal updates.
You will want room in the trunk.
Arrive hungry for curiosity. Start with free Kool Aid, then meltaway samples, then wander the retro aisles.
Grab local snacks for later, and a six pack from the soda wall to keep the drive lively. If you are sensitive to crowds, weekday afternoons tend to be calm.
The store shines clean and bright no matter when you pop in.
Before you roll out, snap a photo with your candy haul. Tag the memories so you can find them next time you crave a sweetness recharge.
Greenwood may be a small dot on the map, but Baker’s feels like a destination. One visit becomes a tradition faster than you expect.
See you on the candy side.