8 Nostalgic Candy Shops In Ohio That Will Take You Straight Back To Childhood
Remember the joy of pressing your nose against a glass candy counter, quarters clutched tightly in your palm? I sure do!
Growing up in Ohio, Saturday trips to the local candy shop were sacred rituals that ended with sticky fingers and sugar-stained smiles.
These charming confectionery havens scattered throughout the Buckeye State continue to serve up sweet memories alongside colorful treats that transport us back to simpler times.
1. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop
Last summer, I stumbled upon Grandpa Joe’s while exploring Miamisburg with my niece, and holy sugar rush—what a treasure! The floor-to-ceiling candy displays make you feel like you’ve wandered into Willy Wonka’s factory without needing a golden ticket.
Their famous $5 candy buffet lets you fill an entire box with whatever goodies catch your eye. I may have gone a bit overboard with the root drink barrels and Bit-O-Honeys that reminded me of fishing trips with my dad.
With locations in Miamisburg and Cleveland, Grandpa Joe’s stocks over 200 varieties of glass-bottled sodas alongside nostalgic treats you probably haven’t seen since elementary school. The penny candy section nearly brought tears to my eyes—Mary Janes and Squirrel Nut Zippers for days!
2. b.a. Sweetie Candy Company
“Holy moly!” That’s exactly what escaped my lips when I first walked into b.a. Sweetie’s 40,000-square-foot candy wonderland in Cleveland. Self-proclaimed as America’s largest candy store, this place isn’t kidding around!
My personal kryptonite is their retro candy section where I rediscovered those bizarre wax bottles filled with colored sugar water that I’d beg my mom for at Little League games. The ice cream parlor inside features flavors inspired by classic candies, and yes, I’ve tried them all in the name of “research.”
What makes this sugar kingdom extra special is their candy museum showcasing vintage packaging and advertisements. I spent an embarrassing amount of time pointing at displays yelling, “I remember those!” while other customers slowly backed away from the overexcited adult.
3. Malley’s Chocolates
The intoxicating chocolate aroma hits you before you even open the door at Malley’s—a Cleveland institution since 1935 that’s practically in my family’s DNA. My grandma would save Malley’s chocolate-covered strawberries for special occasions, making them taste like celebrations.
While they’re famous for their velvety smooth chocolates, the real throwback experience happens at their ice cream parlors. Picture this: checkered floors, chrome-trimmed counters, and those spinning stools that were the highlight of my childhood visits.
Their hot fudge sundaes topped with whipped cream and a cherry remain unchanged since my parents’ dating days in the 1970s. With multiple locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Malley’s isn’t just selling candy—they’re serving up edible time machines disguised as chocolate pecan turtles and pink coconut bars.
4. Spangler Candy Store
Confession time: I once dressed as a Dum Dum lollipop for Halloween, that’s how serious my love for Spangler candy runs! Their factory store in Bryan is the mothership for anyone who’s ever unwrapped a Dum Dum after a doctor’s visit or bank trip.
The museum tour takes you through the history of these iconic treats, but the real magic happens in the store where they sell factory seconds and limited edition flavors. My car trunk may or may not have been filled with circus peanuts and Saf-T-Pops after my last visit.
The best part? Watching candy being made through viewing windows while the sweet scent of sugar and artificial fruit flavors fills your nostrils. I recommend visiting during Dum Dum Days in July when the whole town celebrates their famous lollipop with parades and sugar-fueled festivities.
5. Harry London Candies
The heavenly scent of caramel and chocolate that wafts through Harry London’s North Canton shop should be bottled and sold as perfume! Founded by a steelworker with a sweet tooth in 1922, this place maintains old-world craftsmanship that’s increasingly rare in our mass-produced world.
During the factory tour (which I’ve taken seven times—don’t judge), you’ll witness chocolate-making techniques passed down through generations. My personal weakness is their buckeyes—those magical peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate that no Ohio childhood is complete without.
What transports me straight back to my youth is their old-fashioned brittles and barks displayed in glass cases just like the ones at the corner store where I’d spend my allowance. The free samples throughout the tour might explain why I’ve never managed to leave without buying at least three pounds of assorted goodies.
6. Rocket Fizz
Walking into Rocket Fizz in Columbus feels like stumbling through a portal directly back to 1985! The walls are plastered with vintage metal signs and concert posters that had me pointing and exclaiming, “I had that in my room!” much to my teenage son’s embarrassment.
Their collection of weird and wild sodas is mind-boggling—bacon soda, buffalo wing soda, and even a ranch dressing flavor that I tried on a dare (and immediately regretted). Beyond beverages, they stock candy bars I hadn’t seen since elementary school lunch trades.
The taffy selection alone spans an entire wall with flavors ranging from classic strawberry to bizarre concoctions like maple bacon and buttered popcorn. I spent way too long reading the hilarious novelty items and gag gifts while the Ghostbusters theme played overhead—pretty much a perfect Saturday afternoon for this nostalgic candy lover.
7. Sweets And Geeks
Imagine if your childhood candy obsession collided with your comic book collection—that’s Sweets and Geeks in Cincinnati! My first visit left me giddy with sugar-fueled nostalgia as I browsed candy organized by decades, from 1950s classics to 1990s favorites that defined my school lunches.
The owner, Jared, remembers everyone’s names and favorite treats, creating that neighborhood candy shop vibe that’s increasingly rare. While munching on Pop Rocks (which still make me giggle), I discovered their themed candy boxes—the 80s mix with Nerds, Fun Dip, and Bubble Tape transported me straight back to Saturday morning cartoons.
What really sets this place apart is their blend of geeky and sweet—where else can you find Japanese Kit Kats alongside Doctor Who-themed lollipops? I’ve since made detours to Cincinnati just to stock up on their British chocolate selection and those weird candy cigarettes that somehow still exist.
8. Wittich’s Candy Shop
Stepping into Wittich’s in Circleville is literally stepping back in time—they’ve been serving sweets in the same location since 1840! The ancient wooden floors creak under your feet as fourth-generation candy makers craft treats using the same copper kettles and marble slabs their great-grandparents used.
During my autumn visit coinciding with the famous Pumpkin Show, I watched in awe as they hand-pulled candy canes—a mesmerizing process that had me hypnotized. Their homemade chocolates are still wrapped in wax paper and tied with string, just like when my grandmother would bring them as special treats during her visits.
The original soda fountain still operates, serving up phosphates and ice cream sodas that taste exactly as they did decades ago. I sipped a cherry phosphate while admiring the original tin ceiling and antique display cases, feeling like I’d discovered a living museum where everything is deliciously edible.