If You Are A Chocolate Lover, This Dayton, Ohio, Sweet Shop Will Become Your Special Place
Chocolate lovers, listen up. There’s a place in Ohio where the air smells like cocoa and happiness, and it’s been making people smile for nearly a century.
Esther Price Candies has been serving up handmade chocolates and sweet treats in Dayton since the 1920s. Walking through their doors feels like stepping into a time machine that only goes to the good parts of the past.
I’ve tasted plenty of chocolate in my life, but nothing quite compares to what this Ohio institution creates. The moment you walk in, you know you’re somewhere special, and the free samples don’t hurt either.
A Legacy That Started in the 1920s
Esther Price opened her first candy kitchen almost a century ago, and her commitment to quality hasn’t budged an inch since then. This isn’t some chain operation that popped up last year.
The recipes have been passed down through generations, and you can taste the history in every bite.
When I learned that families have been buying from Esther Price since the business started, it made perfect sense. One reviewer mentioned their family has been loyal customers for decades, and another talked about making special trips from Tennessee just to stock up on their favorites.
The store at 1709 Wayne Ave in Dayton, Ohio stands as a testament to what happens when you refuse to cut corners. Nearly 800 Google reviews averaging 4.7 stars don’t happen by accident.
People drive from Columbus, travel from out of state, and even pack extra luggage space just for Esther Price chocolates.
That kind of devotion tells you everything you need to know about the quality you’ll find inside.
The Magic of Free Samples
Entering the Esther Price means you get to taste before you commit. Free samples are a cornerstone of the experience here, and it’s one of the smartest business moves they ever made.
I’m always skeptical of places that won’t let you try their products first. What are they hiding?
At Esther Price, they practically encourage you to sample everything. Multiple reviews mention the generous sampling policy, and one person said they tried chocolates they wouldn’t have believed could taste so good if they hadn’t sampled them first.
The staff doesn’t hover or make you feel guilty about trying multiple pieces. They want you to find your favorites, and they understand that everyone’s taste is different.
One visitor mentioned sampling wonderful chocolates and discovering new favorites they never would have picked otherwise.
Plus, you get a free piece of chocolate after your purchase when you leave. It’s like a sweet goodbye that keeps you thinking about your next visit all the way home.
Dark Chocolate Caramels That Spoil You Forever
Some chocolates ruin you for everything else. The dark chocolate caramels at Esther Price fall into that dangerous category.
I’ve had caramels from fancy shops in big cities, and I’ve tried the mass-produced stuff from grocery stores. Neither comes close to what Esther Price makes.
The caramel is buttery and smooth without being too sweet, and the dark chocolate coating provides just enough bitterness to balance everything perfectly.
One reviewer flat-out stated that the dark chocolate caramels are the best, and I have to agree. The texture is what gets me every time.
The chocolate snaps when you bite into it, and then the caramel just melts. No weird chewiness, no artificial aftertaste, just pure satisfaction.
Caramels get mentioned nine times in the popular topics from reviews, which tells you how many people consider them a must-buy item. Once you try them, you’ll understand why people drive hours just to stock up on these little squares of happiness.
The Surprising Delight of Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
Sweet and salty combinations aren’t new, but chocolate covered potato chips still surprise people. Esther Price’s version gets mentioned six times in reviews, and for good reason.
The concept sounds weird until you try it. The potato chips stay crispy under the chocolate coating, which shouldn’t be possible but somehow is.
Each bite gives you that satisfying crunch followed by smooth, creamy chocolate. The salt from the chips makes the chocolate taste even better, and the whole thing becomes oddly addictive.
I watched someone try these for the first time, and their face went from skeptical to delighted in about three seconds. That’s the power of a well-executed sweet and salty combination.
The chips themselves are thin and crispy, not thick and crunchy, which makes them easier to coat evenly with chocolate.
If you’re looking for something different from the usual chocolate assortments, grab a bag of these. They make great gifts for people who think they’ve tried everything, and they’re perfect for snacking when you can’t decide between sweet and salty.
Turtles That Set the Standard
Turtles are one of those candies that seem simple until you try to make them well. Pecans, caramel, and chocolate should be easy, but most places get the ratios wrong.
Esther Price uses generous amounts of whole pecans, not the tiny broken pieces you find in cheaper versions. The caramel is thick and buttery, and it actually holds the pecans together instead of just sitting on top like an afterthought.
The chocolate coating is applied with a heavy hand, which I appreciate because nobody ever complained about too much chocolate.
These turtles get mentioned five times in customer reviews, and they’re a popular gift item for good reason. They look impressive in the signature red ribbon packaging, and they taste even better than they look.
The pecans are always fresh and crunchy, never stale or soft.
I’ve had turtles from other candy makers that cost more and delivered less. Esther Price understands that classic candies became classics for a reason, and they honor that tradition by doing them right every single time.
Old-Fashioned Pound Candy Selection
Not everything at Esther Price is chocolate, though chocolate definitely steals most of the spotlight. They also carry old-fashioned pound candy, the kind you remember from your grandparents’ house.
This is the candy you buy by weight, scooping it into bags from big glass jars. Hard candies, gummies, and other nostalgic treats line the shelves.
One reviewer specifically mentioned the pound candy as part of what makes Esther Price special, and I think it’s because these candies are getting harder to find.
Most candy stores today focus only on chocolate or only on trendy new flavors. Esther Price remembers that some people want ribbon candy at Christmas or butterscotch discs year-round.
The selection changes with the seasons, so you might find different options depending on when you visit.
It’s a small part of their overall business, but it shows attention to detail and respect for tradition. Plus, it gives non-chocolate lovers something to get excited about, which is thoughtful considering how chocolate-focused the rest of the store is.
Sugar-Free Options That Don’t Compromise
Sugar-free candy usually tastes like disappointment wrapped in good intentions. Esther Price somehow manages to make sugar-free chocolates that actually taste good.
One reviewer mentioned going sugar-free this year and not being disappointed at all with Esther Price’s options. That’s high praise in the world of sugar-free candy, where most products taste like chemistry experiments gone wrong.
The sugar-free line includes many of the same varieties as the regular chocolates, so you’re not limited to one or two boring options.
I tried the sugar-free dark chocolate, and honestly, if nobody had told me it was sugar-free, I might not have noticed. The texture is smooth, the chocolate flavor is rich, and there’s no weird chemical aftertaste that haunts you for hours afterward.
They use quality ingredients even in the sugar-free line, which makes all the difference.
For people who need to watch their sugar intake but refuse to give up chocolate entirely, Esther Price offers a real solution. It’s not just about having options.
It’s about having options that you actually want to eat.
Holiday Specialties and Seasonal Treats
Esther Price goes all out for holidays. Easter gets mentioned 15 times in reviews, and holidays in general come up 11 times, which tells you how seriously they take seasonal offerings.
The Easter selection includes chocolate eggs in various sizes and flavors, spring-themed assortments, and special packaging that makes everything feel festive.
One reviewer specifically mentioned that Easter candy was out and encouraged everyone to get there for some real candy instead of mass-produced stuff from gas stations.
That pretty much sums up the difference between Esther Price and regular candy.
Christmas brings its own special items, including limited-edition flavors that only appear once a year. Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and even Halloween each get their own attention and unique products.
The store transforms with each season, giving you a reason to visit throughout the year instead of just once.
One reviewer said that no matter the holiday or non-holiday, Esther Price will lift your spirits. That’s the kind of reputation you build over decades of making people happy with chocolate.
Gift Selection and That Signature Red Ribbon
The signature red ribbon on Esther Price boxes has become iconic in Ohio. When you see that ribbon, you know exactly what’s inside, and you know it’s going to be good.
The gift selection at the Wayne Avenue location includes far more than just boxed chocolates. They carry delightful giftware, gift baskets, and special occasion packages that make shopping easy.
One reviewer mentioned that if you’re looking for a special gift complete with that signature red ribbon, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve given Esther Price chocolates as gifts dozens of times, and the reaction is always positive. The packaging looks impressive without being over the top, and the quality inside matches the presentation.
The boxes come in various sizes, so you can find something appropriate for any occasion or budget.
People remember receiving Esther Price chocolates. One reviewer mentioned that people travel from Florida twice a year specifically to buy from Esther Price, and they pack extra luggage space just for the candy.
When your gifts inspire that kind of dedication, you know you’ve chosen well.