A Tiny Illinois Bakery In Long Grove Fills Its Chocolate-Covered Strawberries By Hand Every Morning

Some sweets taste better when you know a real person made them by hand that same morning. Tucked away in a small historic village in Illinois, there is a candy shop where fresh berries get dipped in creamy chocolate before the doors even open.

It is the kind of place you stumble into for a quick treat and leave with a bag far heavier than planned. If you love chocolate, fresh fruit, and a little old-fashioned charm, this spot deserves a spot on your list.

A Sweet Corner in the Heart of an Illinois Village

Wander into the small village of Long Grove, Illinois, and you will find a candy store that feels almost hidden in plain sight. Long Grove Confectionery Co sits at 114 Old McHenry Rd, right in the middle of a walkable little downtown full of shops and history.

It is a candy store first and foremost, but calling it that undersells the experience. Chocolates sold by weight, fresh baked goods, and those famous hand-dipped strawberries all share the same space.

Regulars describe it as one of their favorite stops when they are in town, and that loyalty runs deep. Some folks have been coming for decades, ever since the shop lived in a different spot near an old apple house.

The current location earns a warm 4.6-star rating across well over a hundred reviews, which tells you plenty about how people feel walking out the door. What makes it special is not just the sweets, but the feeling that you have found a genuine neighborhood treasure rather than a factory outlet.

From a Little Red Schoolhouse to Today

Back in 1975, this confectionery opened its retail doors inside a replica of a little red schoolhouse, which is about as storybook as a candy shop can get. That charming beginning gave the brand its roots in the village and turned it into a local landmark for generations.

Over the years the business grew and changed hands. In 2013 it became part of Arway Confections, Inc., another family-run company from the Chicago area that had been making candy since 1950.

The retail shop moved to its current home in the fall of 2017. Some longtime fans still get misty about the old spot near the Irish store, and a few miss its original charm.

Even so, the heart of the operation carries on. Two family businesses, decades of candy-making know-how, and a village that has stayed loyal all add up to a story worth savoring.

When you bite into a treat here, you are tasting something with real history behind it, not a recipe dreamed up last week for a passing trend.

The Star of the Show: Hand-Dipped Strawberries

Picture plump, ripe strawberries getting swirled through warm, creamy milk chocolate one at a time, early in the morning before customers arrive. That daily ritual is exactly what earned this shop its reputation.

The strawberries are handcrafted and made fresh daily using quality ingredients, which is why they taste so different from anything sitting in a grocery cooler. Each berry keeps its juicy snap under a smooth chocolate shell.

Demand runs high enough that they sometimes sell out, then reappear the following weekend, freshly made all over again. Visitors mention them again and again as a highlight, and one longtime fan called their strawberry experience simply fantastic.

Around Valentine’s Day the shop takes pre-orders, since these become one of the most requested treats of the season. If you want a box, showing up early or ordering ahead is smart.

There is something special about eating fruit that was dipped by hand hours earlier. It turns a simple snack into a small celebration, and it explains why people happily drive out of their way to get them.

Myrtles, the Caramel-and-Pecan Legend

If strawberries are the headliner, Myrtles are the beloved supporting act that regulars swear by. These little clusters combine salted pecans, buttery caramel, and a coat of smooth chocolate into one addictive bite.

The mix of sweet and salty is what hooks people. That gentle crunch of nut against the pull of soft caramel makes them impossible to eat just one.

Some shoppers refer to similar treats as turtles, and here they come made with either cashews or pecans depending on your preference. Fans have raved about the nutty versions for years.

What sets these apart is the balance. The chocolate is described as sweet but not overly sweet, so the caramel and toasted nuts get room to shine instead of drowning in sugar.

They travel well too, which makes them a popular choice for gifts and holiday gatherings. Plenty of visitors mention grabbing extras for Thanksgiving spreads.

Once you understand why locals reach for Myrtles trip after trip, you will probably find yourself adding a handful to your own bag without a second thought.

That Famous Brown Bag Apple Pie

Ask around and you will hear apple pie mentioned more than almost anything else here. The shop’s Brown Bag Apple Pie has a following that borders on devotion.

One happy customer joked they would rate it a 20 out of 10, calling it the best apple pie they had ever tasted. Another said they had stayed loyal to the apple baked goods for twenty-five years, which is no small commitment.

The pie recently ran around 25 dollars, a fair price for something families haul home for holidays and special dinners. People often buy two at a time so they do not run short.

Beyond the pie, the connected apple bakery legacy brings apple cider donuts made daily, apple bread, and apple fritters into the mix. During Strawberry Fest, they even whip up strawberry donuts.

There is real comfort in a pie baked right in its paper bag, the crust turning golden and the apples going soft and spiced. It is the sort of dessert that makes a house smell like autumn.

For many visitors, no trip is complete without one tucked under an arm.

A Candy Counter That Rewards Curiosity

Step up to the chocolate counter and you are handed a delicious problem: too many good choices. Everything is sold by weight, so you can mix and match to your heart’s content and build the perfect little haul.

Truffles come in a rainbow of flavors, from classic dark chocolate to more adventurous options. Shoppers also point to dark chocolate covered coffee beans, orange peels, and raisins as standout finds.

English toffee earns constant praise, and one fan admitted they could polish off a half pound of toffee bark in a single day. Caramel covered marshmallows get called downright addictive.

For anyone with dietary needs, the shop marks ingredients clearly, which one visitor with a gluten-free friend really appreciated. That kind of care makes the browsing feel welcoming rather than overwhelming.

Peanut butter cups have their own loyal crowd too, with grown-ups remembering them from childhood visits. The beauty of a by-the-weight counter is that you can grab one of everything that catches your eye, then discover a new favorite you never expected to love.

Watching the Magic Happen

Half the fun here is seeing candy come to life instead of just buying it. At the original schoolhouse shop, visitors could peek at production through a beveled glass window, and that spirit of transparency carries on.

During the week, some guests have noticed you can watch the team making chocolates right there in the shop. There is a small thrill in seeing hands shape the treats you are about to enjoy.

That behind-the-scenes look connects you to the craft. When you know a real person dipped your strawberry or poured your caramel, the whole experience feels more personal and worthwhile.

It also fits the shop’s handmade promise. The morning routine of dipping fresh strawberries by hand is part of the same tradition of doing things the careful, old-fashioned way.

For kids especially, glimpsing the process can turn a quick errand into a memory. Watching sweets get made is entertainment and education rolled into one sugary package.

If you visit on a quieter weekday, keep your eyes open, because you might just catch the candy makers in action.

Seasonal Treats for Every Holiday

Come during any holiday and the shelves transform into a celebration of their own. Shoppers say the seasonal selection here beats just about anywhere else they have looked, whether it is Easter, Halloween, or Christmas.

The candies turn cute and themed, perfect for gifting or filling baskets and stockings. There is a real sense of playfulness in how the displays change with the calendar.

Valentine’s Day brings the strawberry pre-orders, while fall ushers in apple cider donuts and cozy treats. During Strawberry Fest, those special strawberry donuts make their appearance.

One review mentioned the owners being so busy during the winter rush that their playful reply joked about the elves keeping them occupied. That cheerful, holiday-loving energy comes through in the shop itself.

Beyond the sweets, they also stock fun extras, and one shopper even picked up a barbecue sauce to take home. The rotating variety means no two visits feel quite the same.

If you time your trip with a holiday, you will find the store at its most festive and full of surprises worth exploring slowly.

A Whimsical Little Space That Feels Like a Secret

Stepping inside can feel like slipping into a storybook hideaway. One longtime visitor described descending a short flight of stairs and opening the door into a colorful, whimsical, fairy-tale kind of space.

The shop is cozy rather than cavernous, which only adds to its charm. On busy summer days it can fill up fast, so a quieter hour lets you soak in the atmosphere.

Decor alone draws people in for a walk-through, and the mix of candies and colors keeps eyes wandering. It is the sort of place where browsing is part of the joy.

Free samples pop up now and then, and truffles are a favorite thing to nibble before deciding. That little taste often seals the deal on a bigger purchase.

One recent guest called the atmosphere immaculate, and that sense of care shows in the tidy displays and cheerful setup. Whether you are five or fifty, the space invites a bit of wide-eyed wonder.

It is a reminder that a candy shop can be an experience, not just a transaction.

The Friendly Faces Behind the Counter

Warm service turns out to be one of the most talked-about parts of visiting. Friendly staff came up in dozens of reviews, and that welcoming energy clearly leaves a mark on people.

Guests describe workers who are helpful, chatty, and happy to share both candy tips and local history. One shopper praised a team member named Mary for consistently great service over the years.

Another visitor mentioned a staff member who made sure they felt well taken care of, calling her a delight to talk to. Those small kindnesses add up to a shop that feels personal.

The owners even respond to feedback with humor and heart, once thanking a customer whose dog chewed through a box of treats because they smelled so good. That playful warmth runs from the top down.

Sweetest treats, nicest smiles, and genuine care show up again and again in what people say. In a world of self-checkout and rushed transactions, a spot where someone actually wants to help you pick the perfect chocolate feels refreshing and rare.

Planning Your Visit: Hours, Prices, and Getting There

Ready to go? You will find the shop at 114 Old McHenry Rd in Long Grove, Illinois, right in the walkable village center.

You can reach the team by phone at 847-634-0080.

Doors open at 10 AM and close at 5 PM Wednesday through Sunday, plus Tuesday, with the same hours across those days. The shop is closed on Mondays, so plan around that.

On pricing, be honest with yourself: the treats are not cheap, and several shoppers note the candy runs a bit pricey. The apple pie recently sat around 25 dollars.

That said, many feel the freshness and quality make it worth every penny. One out-of-towner said the sweets were well worth the hour-long drive to get there.

Summer weekends can get crowded, so an early or midweek visit gives you room to browse. A coffee shop next door makes a nice pairing for your treats.

Since strawberries and popular items sometimes sell out, arriving earlier in the day boosts your chances. A little planning goes a long way toward a smooth, sweet trip.

Is It Worth the Trip? A Sweet Verdict

So, should you make the drive? For most people who walk out with a bag of hand-dipped strawberries and a Brown Bag Apple Pie, the answer is an easy yes.

What makes this place worth it is not any single item, but the whole package: fresh candy made with care, a whimsical little space, and staff who treat you like a neighbor.

Not everyone leaves thrilled, and a few longtime fans miss the charm of the original location. That honest range is worth keeping in mind as you set expectations.

Still, the loyal crowd speaks loudly. People who grew up visiting keep coming back, and newcomers happily drive an hour just for the treats.

Think of it as a small adventure rather than a simple errand. Pair it with a stroll through the historic village, grab a coffee next door, and take your time at the by-the-weight counter.

If you love the idea of berries dipped by hand each morning and chocolate made the old-fashioned way, this cozy Illinois shop delivers exactly the kind of memorable, sweet stop that lingers long after the last bite.