This Giant Pennsylvania Candy Shop Brings Childhood Memories To Life
A giant candy shop feels like opening the door to pure nostalgia, showing how to satisfy a sweet tooth in Pennsylvania.
Rich chocolate scents swirl through the air, glass jars sparkle with colorful treats, and shelves overflow with classics you have not seen in years.
Call it a sugar coated time machine, a chocolate lover’s playground, a place where grown ups turn into wide eyed kids again.
Fudge is sliced fresh, caramel glistens under warm lights, and every corner promises something deliciously familiar.
Bright wrappers crinkle in your hands as you wander from display to display, trying to decide between old favorites and new temptations.
Pennsylvania charm meets old fashioned confectionery in the sweetest way possible. First time I walked in, I told myself I would pick up a small treat and head out.
Ten minutes later, I was balancing a bag of chocolate in one hand, smiling at memories I did not expect to revisit, and already planning who I would bring along next time.
The Wilbur Bud Came First, Not The Kiss
Wilbur Buds look suspiciously like Hershey Kisses, but here’s the kicker: they came first. Introduced in 1894, these flat-bottomed chocolate drops predate their more famous rival by over a decade.
The shape, the foil, the whole vibe? Wilbur did it before it was cool.
You can taste the difference the moment one hits your tongue. The chocolate melts smoother, richer, without that waxy aftertaste some mass-market brands leave behind.
Regulars swear by them, and first-timers usually walk out with at least three bags.
They’re available in milk and dark chocolate, and honestly, picking a favorite feels impossible. I grabbed both on my last visit and regret nothing.
If you’re keeping score in the great Pennsylvania chocolate rivalry, Wilbur just might be winning.
You Can Watch Chocolate Being Made Through The Glass
Most candy shops hide their kitchens behind closed doors, but not Wilbur. A massive glass wall lets you peek right into the on-site kitchen where employees make fresh candy daily and package goodies by hand.
It’s part theater, part behind-the-scenes peek, and completely mesmerizing.
Kids press their noses to the glass like it’s an aquarium filled with candy fish. Adults do the same thing but pretend they’re just casually interested.
Watching someone dip a peanut butter cracker into a waterfall of melted chocolate? That’s the kind of entertainment you can’t get on Netflix.
The store sits at 45 N Broad St, Lititz, PA 17543, right in the heart of this picturesque town. Between the live chocolate-making show and the samples they hand out, you’ll forget you came in just to browse.
The Smell Hits You Before You Even Walk Inside
Forget scented candles or fancy air fresheners. The moment you get within twenty feet of this place, your nose knows exactly where you’re headed.
Warm cocoa, toasted nuts, and a hint of vanilla create an invisible welcome mat that pulls you straight through the front door.
I’ve walked past this shop on days when I swore I wasn’t buying anything, only to find myself inside five minutes later clutching a bag of triple-coated almonds.
The aroma is that persuasive. It seeps into your clothes, your hair, your soul.
Even people who claim they’re not huge chocolate fans find themselves slowing down as they pass.
The scent alone has probably sold more candy than any billboard ever could. It’s basically olfactory advertising, and it works every single time.
They’ve Been Making Chocolate Since 1865
Wilbur Chocolate isn’t some trendy startup cashing in on the artisan chocolate craze. This company has been making sweets since 1865, then chocolate since 1884, and Lititz keeps smiling today.
That’s over 150 years of perfecting sweets, then chocolate, and keeping Lititz on the map.
The store itself showcases bits of that history through old photos, vintage tins, and packaging that looks like it belongs in a museum.
You can feel the weight of tradition when you’re standing there deciding between dark chocolate bark and peanut butter fudge. This isn’t just candy; it’s edible heritage.
In a state already famous for chocolate thanks to Hershey, Wilbur holds its own with a quieter, more old-school charm.
They’ve survived storms, recessions, and changing tastes by simply making really, really good chocolate. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
The Triple-Coated Almonds Are Legendary
If you ask any regular what to buy, nine out of ten will point you toward the triple-coated almonds without hesitation. These aren’t your average chocolate-covered nuts.
Each almond gets dunked three separate times, building up layers of chocolate so thick you almost forget there’s a nut hiding inside. The crunch is ridiculous.
The sweetness is balanced.
The ratio of chocolate to almond feels like someone did the math and nailed it. I bought a small bag thinking I’d ration them over a week, and they were gone before I hit the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
They come in milk and dark chocolate, and both versions have cult followings. Some people buy them by the pound for holiday gifts.
Others just buy them by the pound for themselves and don’t apologize. Either approach is completely valid.
Free Samples Make Every Visit Dangerous
The sample station near the entrance is both a blessing and a budget threat.
They usually have at least two or three varieties of Wilbur Buds available for tasting, plus whatever seasonal special they’re pushing that week. One taste is never enough.
I watched a woman try a dark chocolate bud, nod politely, then circle back three times before finally grabbing a full bag.
The samples work because the chocolate genuinely tastes better than what you find at the grocery store.
It’s smoother, creamier, and doesn’t leave that chalky feeling on your teeth.
Staff members are generous with the samples too, never making you feel guilty for trying multiple flavors.
By the time you’ve sampled your way through the options, your cart is usually full and your willpower is completely gone. Consider it part of the experience.
The Peanut Butter Fudge Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Fudge can be hit or miss. Too grainy, too sweet, too hard, too soft.
Wilbur’s peanut butter fudge avoids all those pitfalls and lands squarely in the category of “dangerously addictive.”
The texture is creamy without being sticky, and the peanut butter flavor is bold without overwhelming the sweetness.
Multiple reviews mention this fudge specifically, which tells you something. It’s not just good; it’s the kind of good that makes people drive four hours just to stock up for the holidays.
I tried a piece during my visit and immediately understood the hype.
They sell it by the slice or the whole slab, and honestly, go big. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re home wishing you’d bought more.
It also makes an excellent gift, assuming you can resist eating it before you wrap it.
The Chocolate-Covered Ritz Crackers Are Genius
Salty meets sweet in the most unexpected way when you bite into a chocolate-covered Ritz cracker. The buttery, salty snap of the cracker plays perfectly against Wilbur’s creamy milk chocolate.
It sounds weird on paper, but in your mouth, it makes total sense. One reviewer called them addictive, and that’s putting it mildly.
The combination hits multiple taste receptors at once, which your brain interprets as “eat more immediately.” I bought a box thinking they’d last a few days. They lasted one car ride home.
They’re especially popular with people who love that sweet-and-salty contrast but find pretzels too crunchy or popcorn too messy.
The Ritz cracker provides just enough structure without getting in the way of the chocolate. If you’re skeptical, grab a small bag.
You’ll be back for the big one.
Gift Tins And Packaging Are Almost Too Pretty To Open
Wilbur takes presentation seriously. Their gift tins look like they were plucked from a Victorian candy shop, with intricate designs, rich colors, and ribbons that actually stay tied.
Yes, they’re a bit pricey, but you’re paying for that extra layer of thoughtfulness.
I’ve given these tins as gifts and watched people hesitate before opening them because they looked too nice to unwrap. That’s the kind of packaging that turns chocolate into an event.
Inside, the candy is carefully arranged, cushioned, and just as beautiful as the container.
If you’re shopping for someone who appreciates the little details, these tins are worth the splurge.
Even after the chocolate is gone, the tin sticks around as a keepsake box or decoration. It’s the rare gift that delivers twice.
It’s A Must-Stop During Lititz Fire And Ice Festival
Every February, Lititz hosts its famous Fire and Ice Festival, drawing thousands of visitors to watch ice carvers and fire performers work their magic.
Naturally, everyone needs a warm chocolate fix afterward, and Wilbur becomes ground zero for sugar-fueled festival-goers.
The lines can stretch out the door during this event, but they move surprisingly fast. Staff members are prepared for the rush, and the energy inside the shop buzzes with excitement.
Grabbing hot chocolate and a bag of buds before heading back out into the cold has become a tradition for many families.
Even if you’re not visiting during the festival, Wilbur remains a staple stop in Lititz year-round.
The town itself is worth exploring, with its quaint shops and rich history, but let’s be honest: the chocolate is probably why you’re really there. And that’s perfectly fine.