This Ohio Candy Wonderland Is A Nostalgic Dream Come True

My inner kid grabbed the steering wheel the second I turned onto Brookpark Road in Cleveland, Ohio, and honestly, I let them drive.

At b.a. Sweetie Candy Company, 6770 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44129, the “quick stop” plan lasts about as long as a single gummy bear in a movie theater.

This is the kind of Ohio destination where shopping carts become confidence boosters, and every aisle dares you to remember what you used to beg for at the checkout counter.

I came for a little nostalgia and left with a full-on sugar safari, complete with retro classics, wild new flavors, and the kind of grin you cannot fake for the camera.

If you need a low-stress adventure that feels like recess for grown-ups, this candy wonderland is ready to turn your afternoon into a sweet, crunchy, chewy victory lap.

A Warehouse-Sized Candy Paradise

Walking into b.a. Sweetie feels less like entering a store and more like stepping into Willy Wonka’s factory, minus the Oompa Loompas.

The sheer size of this place caught me completely off guard.

Row after row of shelving stretches out before you, packed floor to ceiling with every imaginable type of candy. I grabbed one of their shopping carts because a basket simply wouldn’t cut it, and I watched families do the same.

Kids pushed their own mini carts while parents tried to maintain some sense of budget control. The warehouse setup means you can actually see everything at once, which is both exciting and slightly overwhelming in the best possible way.

I spent my first twenty minutes just walking up and down aisles, trying to take it all in. The place operates like a candy Costco, with industrial shelving and bulk options everywhere you look.

You could easily spend half a day here and still not see everything they offer.

Nostalgia Around Every Corner

One of the best parts of my visit was stumbling across candies I hadn’t seen since the 1980s. I actually gasped out loud when I spotted a whole section dedicated to retro treats.

There were Candy Buttons on paper strips, wax bottles filled with sweet liquid, and those chalky Necco Wafers my grandmother used to keep in her purse. I found myself picking up packages just to read the labels and remember what they tasted like.

The nostalgia section isn’t just a small shelf tucked in a corner. It’s a significant portion of the store, with everything from Bit-O-Honey to Sky Bars to those little root beer barrels.

I watched other shoppers my age do the same thing I was doing, holding up packages and saying things like, “Oh my gosh, I remember these.” It’s not just about buying candy. It’s about reconnecting with memories you thought were long forgotten.

The Soda Shop Experience

After wandering the candy aisles for over an hour, I needed a break, so I headed to the attached soda shop. The moment I walked in, I felt like I’d stepped back in time to a 1950s ice cream parlor.

The seating area features actual swings instead of regular chairs, which adds a playful touch that kids absolutely love.

I ordered a root beer float and watched as they prepared it the old-fashioned way, with real scoops of vanilla ice cream and fizzy soda poured right over the top.

They offer dozens of unique soda flavors, including some truly bizarre options like bacon-flavored pop. I stuck with the classics, but I loved seeing adventurous customers trying the unusual varieties.

The whimsical atmosphere makes it a perfect spot to rest your feet and enjoy a sweet treat before heading back into the candy warehouse for round two of shopping.

Endless Aisles of Gummies

If you’re a gummy candy fan, prepare to lose your mind. I counted at least four full aisles dedicated entirely to gummy varieties, from the standard bears to shapes I never knew existed.

There were gummy pizzas, gummy sushi, gummy hamburgers, and even gummy fried eggs. Some were sour, some were sweet, and others combined both flavors in ways that genuinely surprised me.

I picked up a package of gummy watermelon slices because they looked too realistic to pass up. The selection goes way beyond what you’d find in a regular grocery store.

You can buy individual packages or stock up on bulk options if you find a favorite. I watched one family fill an entire bag with nothing but gummy worms in different flavors.

The variety is honestly ridiculous, and I mean that as the highest compliment possible for a candy store.

Chocolate Lover’s Dream Section

Chocolate gets its own dedicated area at Sweetie, and it’s every bit as impressive as the rest of the store. I’m talking about gourmet options alongside classic candy bars you grew up with.

There were imported chocolates from Europe, artisan truffles in flavors like lavender and sea salt caramel, and massive Hershey bars that could feed a small army. I picked up a dark chocolate bar with chili peppers because I couldn’t resist trying something new.

The milk chocolate section alone took up an entire wall, with everything from Cadbury to Lindt to lesser-known brands I’d never encountered before. You can find sugar-free options here too, which I appreciated seeing.

For anyone with dietary restrictions who still wants to indulge their sweet tooth, that section offers real choices. I left with way more chocolate than I intended to buy, but I have zero regrets about that decision.

Popcorn in Every Flavor Imaginable

I didn’t expect to get excited about popcorn, but Sweetie changed my mind completely. They have an entire section devoted to flavored popcorn that goes way beyond butter and caramel.

There’s cheddar cheese, kettle corn, chocolate drizzle, birthday cake, and even dill pickle flavored popcorn. I tried a sample of the Chicago mix, which combines cheese and caramel in the same bag, and it was surprisingly addictive.

The popcorn comes in bags of various sizes, so you can grab a small snack or stock up for movie nights at home. I noticed they also sell popcorn tins decorated with seasonal designs, which would make great gifts.

Some of the flavors sound absolutely wild, like buffalo ranch or cookies and cream, but that’s part of the fun. You can play it safe or take a chance on something completely unexpected.

Either way, you’re leaving with something delicious.

Soda Selection Like No Other

The soda section at Sweetie deserves its own paragraph because it’s absolutely massive. I’m not talking about the usual Coke and Pepsi products you find everywhere else.

This place stocks hundreds of craft sodas, regional brands, international flavors, and bizarre varieties you never knew existed. I saw bottles of cucumber soda, rose-flavored pop, and something called Leninade with a Soviet-themed label that made me laugh.

There were classic glass-bottled sodas like Frostie Root Beer and Nehi Grape, plus modern craft brands experimenting with flavors like lavender lemonade and ginger turmeric. You could spend twenty minutes just reading labels and trying to decide what to try.

I grabbed a four-pack of different cream sodas to compare at home. The prices are reasonable considering these aren’t your average grocery store drinks.

It’s the perfect place to find unique sodas for parties or just to treat yourself to something different.

Mini Golf Course Next Door

What makes Sweetie even more special is the mini golf course located right next to the building. After loading up on candy, you can head outside and play a round of putt-putt.

I didn’t get a chance to play during my first visit because I ran out of time, but I watched families enjoying the course while I loaded my car with shopping bags. The course looked well-maintained and seemed perfect for kids and adults alike.

It’s a smart addition that turns a candy shopping trip into a full afternoon of entertainment. You can grab treats from the store, play mini golf, and then head back to the soda shop for ice cream.

This setup makes Sweetie more than just a candy store. It becomes a destination where you can actually spend quality time with family or friends.

I’m definitely planning to come back and try the mini golf on my next visit to Cleveland.

A Place That Brings Generations Together

What struck me most about b.a. Sweetie wasn’t just the candy selection.

It was watching grandparents walk the aisles with their grandkids, pointing out treats from their own childhoods.

I overheard one grandmother explaining to her grandson what Bit-O-Honey tasted like while he showed her some new gummy creation she’d never seen before. That exchange perfectly captures what makes this place special.

It’s not just about selling candy. It’s about creating shared experiences across generations.

Parents rediscover favorites from their youth while kids find new treats to love.

Everyone leaves with full bags and bigger smiles. The store manages to feel both overwhelming and welcoming at the same time, which is a tough balance to strike.

By the time I checked out with my overflowing cart, I understood why people drive from all over Ohio to visit. This isn’t just shopping.

It’s an experience that reminds you why candy made you so happy in the first place.