These Ohio Candy Stores Will Awaken Your Inner Child In The Sweetest Way Possible
Ohio candy shops do not mess around, and my pantry can confirm it with hard evidence and zero regrets. I once walked in “just to look,” then strutted out with a bag so full it deserved its own seatbelt.
Step inside these fourteen stops and you will find everything from old-school favorites to shiny, gift-ready chocolates that make restraint feel like an optional hobby.
I love how each place has its own personality, whether it is a warehouse-sized wonder, small-town charm, or a glass case that turns decision-making into an extreme sport.
Some stores lean nostalgic, some feel like a sweet-themed playground, and a few are so tempting they should come with a polite warning label.
If your next road trip needs a sugar-powered plot twist, consider this your delicious game plan.
1. b.a. Sweetie Candy Company, Cleveland
Some candy stores are cute, but this one feels like my sweet tooth won the lottery. The first time I walked into b.a.
Sweetie Candy Company, my brain needed a loading screen just to process how much sugar was in front of me. Rows of bulk bins, retro favorites, giant lollipops, novelty treats, and a vintage-style soda shop on the side turn this Cleveland warehouse into a full-day adventure, not just a quick stop.
This spot calls itself the largest candy store in America, and when you see the aisles stretching out in every direction, you start to believe it pretty fast.
Families push carts like they are grocery shopping for a carnival, and I usually end up grabbing way more than I planned, from sour ropes to buckeyes.
Address: b.a. Sweetie Candy Company, 6770 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44129.
2. Boyd’s Retro Candy Store, Toledo
My inner kid absolutely refuses to behave every time I walk into Boyd’s. Tucked into a Toledo neighborhood, this retro candy haven feels like someone bottled childhood and put it on shelves.
The cozy corner space is packed with old-school sweets, glass-bottle sodas, and candies I thought had vanished years ago.I remember standing in the middle of the store, torn between filling a bag with root beer barrels or tracking down every flavor of taffy in sight.
The owners clearly love nostalgia, and it shows in the way every display nudges you toward a memory. Locals rave about the variety, and it is the kind of place where you will hear people say things like, “I have not seen this since I was ten.” I usually leave with a bag heavier than my self-control.
Address: Boyd’s Retro Candy Store, 954 Phillips Ave, Toledo, OH 43612.
3. Malley’s Chocolates, Lakewood
If my self-control had a weakness, it would be the Madison Avenue Malley’s shop. In Lakewood, this old-school Cleveland favorite somehow manages to feel both fancy and friendly at the same time.
The Madison Avenue location doubles as a chocolate shop and ice cream parlor, which means I walk in for a box of truffles and somehow sit down with a sundae too.
The counters are lined with gleaming chocolates, buckeyes, and seasonal treats, and the pink-and-green vibe whispers that “just one piece” is not really the goal here.
Locals treat Malley’s as a go-to for holiday boxes and birthday gifts, but I love it most on quiet weekday afternoons when you can actually linger at the case and point out each piece like you are picking jewelry.If you want classic Ohio chocolate energy, this is a must.
Address: Malley’s Chocolates, 14822 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107.
4. Dietsch Brothers Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, Findlay
Some family traditions are written down, and some are dipped in chocolate. In Findlay, this longtime family shop has been crafting chocolates and ice cream since the 1930s, and you can taste that slow, careful history in every bite.
The downtown spot on West Main Cross Street looks like the kind of place grandparents introduce to grandkids with a proud smile.
When I walked in, I saw glass cases filled with buckeyes, creams, caramels, and gleaming chocolate-covered pretzels, all lined up with almost military precision. The smell of fresh waffle cones from the ice cream side makes it even harder to choose just one treat.
Locals praise their chocolate as some of the best in Ohio, and it is the sort of shop where a simple box of assorted pieces turns into a full-on event at home.
Address: Dietsch Brothers Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, 400 W Main Cross St, Findlay, OH 45840.
5. Esther Price Candies & Gifts, Dayton
My sweet tooth basically salutes when it sees that familiar gold box. In Dayton, this beloved chocolatier is one of those names Ohioans say with calm confidence, like it is understood that the candy here is serious business.
The original Wayne Avenue shop feels wonderfully classic, with big display windows, neat rows of boxed chocolates, and that rich cocoa smell that hits before you even touch the door. On my last visit, I watched regulars walk in already knowing exactly which assortments they wanted.
The creams and caramels are the stars, but I never skip the nut clusters either. This place has been around for generations, and you can tell they focus on consistency more than trends.
If you want an Ohio candy spot that locals actually send across the country to relatives, this is it.
Address: Esther Price Candies & Gifts, 1709 Wayne Ave, Dayton, OH 45410.
6. Anthony-Thomas Candy Company Factory Store, Columbus
Few things beat the thrill of eating chocolate a few steps from where it was made. At the factory store on Arlingate Lane in Columbus, candy shopping turns into a behind-the-scenes experience.
This family-owned company has been making chocolates for decades, and you can still come here for tours, fresh buckeyes, and huge showcases of boxed assortments.
When I stopped by, I was greeted by shelves stacked with seasonal goodies, giant chocolate bars, and gift towers that looked almost too pretty to unwrap. The best part is knowing that much of it was crafted in the very building you are standing in.
Families love the tours, and I love the way the staff happily walks you through their favorites if you look overwhelmed by options. The buckeyes alone could convert almost anyone into a regular.
Address: Anthony-Thomas Candy Company, 1777 Arlingate Ln, Columbus, OH 43228.
7. Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, Columbus (German Village)
I did not realize fudge could be dramatic until I watched it being made here. Right in the heart of historic German Village, this sweet little shop sits just steps from cobblestone charm and brick-lined streets.
Inside, the space feels like a cozy fudge laboratory, with copper kettles, marble tables, and trays of glossy, cooling squares that make patience very difficult.
I remember leaning over the case, trying to decide between classic chocolate fudge, buckeyes, and hand-dipped chocolates, while the staff sliced generous samples for curious visitors.
The whole place has that “old-world confectioner” atmosphere locals love, and the fudge really is as rich and creamy as the reputation suggests. It is the kind of spot where you grab a box “for later” and then mysteriously lose half of it on the walk back to the car.
Address: Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, 220 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206.
8. Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, Columbus (Short North)
If my taste buds had a theme park, this would be the entrance gate. In the artsy Short North, this high-energy shop turns candy hunting into full-on sensory chaos in the best way.
Shelves are stacked with international treats, novelty candies, and more flavors of taffy than my brain can track at once. Then there is the soda wall, packed with glass bottles in wild flavors that range from classic root beer to “who approved this” experimental picks.
When I visited, I watched adults go from serious to grinning in about thirty seconds as they spotted childhood favorites hiding between the shelves. This is not a dainty chocolate boutique; it is a color-packed playground where you build a bag that tells your own sugar story.
It fits the neighborhood’s playful energy perfectly.
Address: Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, 944 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201.
9. Marie’s Candies, West Liberty
Driving through West Liberty, I did not expect to stumble onto such a chocolate treasure. Here, the shop lives inside a charming former train depot, which already gives it a sense of story before you even taste anything.
Inside, glass cases and neat displays show off hand-dipped chocolates, caramels, nut clusters, and seasonal specialties that feel very gift-ready.
On my first stop, I watched regulars walk in with that “I know exactly what I am here for” confidence, which is always a good sign. I gravitated straight toward the assortments and buckeyes, then added a few extra pieces from the case because restraint is not really part of the experience here.
The staff is kind, the atmosphere is warm, and the chocolate has that old-fashioned quality that makes you think of family recipes and careful work.
Address: Marie’s Candies, 311 Zanesfield Rd, West Liberty, OH 43357.
10. Aglamesis Bro’s, Cincinnati (Oakley Square)
Some shops whisper “historic”; this one smiles and hands you a box of creams. In Oakley Square, this Cincinnati institution has been delighting sweet tooths since the early 1900s, and the moment you walk through the door you understand the loyalty.
The tiled floors, marble counters, and gleaming cases of chocolates and ice cream feel frozen in a very charming time. I remember standing there, torn between getting a sundae or building a custom box of chocolates, and then very sensibly deciding that both were necessary.
Their creams, caramels, and nut clusters are especially beloved, and the packaging has that classic style that makes every box feel like a small celebration. Locals bring out-of-town guests here to show off a slice of Cincinnati sweetness that never really goes out of style.
Address: Aglamesis Bro’s, 3046 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209.
11. Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweeties Chocolates, Ashland
I came for cheese curiosity and left with a bag of candy that deserved its own suitcase. Along US Highway 250, this spot is part roadside attraction, part foodie paradise, and part candy wonderland.
The Sweeties Chocolates section feels like its own dedicated dessert village inside the larger complex. When I wandered through, I found trays of hand-dipped chocolates, fudge, candy-coated nuts, and nostalgic packaged sweets all under one roof.
People sample cheeses upstairs and then stream down to reward themselves with something sugary, which feels like a very balanced life choice. The atmosphere is relaxed and road-trip friendly, making it a perfect stop between destinations.
It is an easy place to lose track of time while deciding which chocolates need to come home with you.
Address: Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweeties Chocolates, 668 US Highway 250 E, Ashland, OH 44805.
12. Coblentz Chocolate Company, Walnut Creek
If you ever wanted a chocolate shop that feels like a storybook scene, this is it. Set in Ohio’s Amish Country, this handmade chocolate destination brings serious small-town charm along with its sweets.
The Walnut Creek shop has big viewing windows, so you can actually watch chocolates being made while you decide how ambitious your box size should be. I remember pressing closer to the glass like an excited kid while trays of clusters and creams cooled on racks.
Inside the store, the displays are full of neatly packed assortments, seasonal shapes, and gift boxes that almost wrap themselves. The atmosphere is calm and friendly, and it fits perfectly with the slower pace of the countryside around it.
It is one of those places where you buy extra “for gifts” and then quietly keep a few pieces for yourself.
Address: Coblentz Chocolate Company, 4917 State Route 515, Walnut Creek, OH 44687.
13. Goumas Candyland, Heath
My sugar radar perked up the moment I heard this shop had been around for generations. In Heath, this fifth-generation family chocolate shop wears its history proudly in every display case.
The storefront is modest, but inside you find cases packed with hand-dipped chocolates, caramel apples, roasted nuts, and fun little extras like chocolate-covered chips.
On my visit, I watched the staff chat with regulars who clearly had favorite flavors locked in. I gravitated toward their classic assortments and anything featuring caramel, because it seemed impossible to go wrong. The vibe is friendly, unpretentious, and focused on quality more than flash.
It feels like the kind of place locals quietly rely on for holidays, teacher gifts, and “just because” chocolate emergencies.
Address: Goumas Candyland, 19 Claren Dr, Heath, OH 43056.
14. Winans Chocolates + Coffees, Piqua
Some days call for caffeine, some days call for chocolate, and this place happily offers both. At the Piqua factory and flagship shop, the smell inside should probably be classified as a mood booster.
When I walked in, I saw glass cases filled with hand-crafted chocolates and buckeyes, plus shelves of bagged candies ready to become gifts. On the other side, freshly roasted coffee beans and steaming drinks kept the place humming.
This location also offers a peek at production through viewing windows, so you can see where your treats come from while sipping a latte. Locals love the combination of everyday coffee spot and special-occasion candy source, and it is easy to see why.
I left with a cup in one hand and a box of caramels in the other, feeling like I had made very sound life choices.
Address: Winans Chocolates + Coffees, 310 Spring St, Piqua, OH 45356.