Nothing is more satisfying than the taste of sweetness resting on your tongue after eating a piece of candy. Especially if you have the memory of stepping into a confectionary filled with chocolates, gummy bears, lollipops and more. If you are craving that childhood nostalgia, there are many candy shops located all across NJ where you can relive those good old days.
1. IT’SUGAR (American Dream Mall) – East Rutherford, NJ
The New Jersey megamall, American Dream is quite the location due to its variety of stores and attractions like the DreamWorks Water Park. To round out their lineup, IT’SUGAR, located on the first floor, is home to an immense amount of delicious, sweet candy pieces.
You can get your typical offerings including lollipops, bubble gum or chocolate. However, once you walk up to the second floor, classic branded candy is lined up on the shelves. Featured brands at IT’SUGAR are Sour Patch Kids, M&Ms, Kit-Kat, Reese’s, Nerds, and more. On Halloween, kids who are out trick or treating, try seeking houses that have candy pieces larger in size. Therefore, IT’SUGAR has oversized candy pieces perfect for the occasion. With these choices, your pantry will become a candy shop galore for a good amount of time.
While shopping for candy, you can even grab yourself a piece of these brands’ merchandise. Shoes, shirts, pajamas, toys and other knick-knacks are available for customers to take home.
2. Black River Candy Shoppe – Chester, NJ
If you want more of an old-fashioned candy shop vibe, Black River Candy Shoppe will transport you back in time. For over 15 years, this shop has served its local community in Chester and fellow visitors from all over. They have all different kinds of candies available for you to choose from. Some of their options include sugar-free candy, 200 different types of bars, jelly beans and assorted English candies.
For people looking to stock up on their favorites, Black River Candy Shoppe has the option of buying bulk candy by the pound. Shipping is also an option for those that aren’t local to the Chester area. They also offer a “Candy Buffet” option, which means they supply candy for events such as weddings, birthday parties, baby showers and other occasions. Black River Candy Shoppe was featured in Food Network Magazine’s “America’s 50 Best Candy Stores.”
3. Candylicious – Randolph, NJ
Based in the heart of Randolph, Candylicious has been satisfying sweet tooths ever since 2012. Ranging from bright, sweet candy to creamy chocolates, Candylicious has it all. You don’t have to necessarily be located in Randolph to enjoy some of their specialty treats. Candylicious makes deliveries across the country.
Another service they provide is candy catering, meaning they set up candy spreads and tables for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, etc. Candylicious also welcomes its customers to host their parties there. They can even help create a custom-themed party for you. The shop takes responsibility for your party by providing candy and paper goods while you bring the cake and cupcakes. However, the Candylicious website mentions that this service is limited due to the pandemic.
4. Rauhauser’s – Ocean City, NJ
Known for their authentic candy flavors, Rauhauser’s, a family-owned business in Ocean City, has served their community and beyond for over 57 years. Some of their featured options include several kinds of chocolate, fudge, sugar-free candy, chocolate-covered nuts, nut-free candy, and their special holiday selections. For Halloween, they make their candied apples, a fall favorite.
For the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday, Rauhauser’s creates their classic “Irish Potatoes.” Other than candies, they have a selection of confections for you to shop from. Options include party trays, candy tins, Mary Meyer Stuffed Animals and unique detailed teapots. This Ocean City candy shop ships anywhere within the U.S. You can check out their website for more information.
5. Laurie’s Homemade Candy – Wayne, NJ
Laurie Walker is the face behind North Jersey’s candy galore, Laurie’s Homemade Candy. Walker attended the Philadelphia School of Candy Making, which helped lead to her very own storefront. Originally, the shop opened in Midland Park, NJ, but made the move to Wayne, NJ two years later. When walking into Laurie’s, you are welcomed by a variety of over 100 chocolates, candies, jelly beans, jelly fruit slices and other delicious gummies.
To celebrate special holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day, Walker makes chocolate-covered strawberries or her specialty “Happy Apples.” She makes snowmen, bunnies, reindeer and other kinds of seasonal characters for her “Happy Apples.” You can also get unique candy gift sets for a parent, significant other or friend. One choice is the “Pretzelmania,” which is filled with different kinds of chocolate-covered pretzels.
Although, if you are more of an old-fashioned candy kind of person, the “Vintage Bundle” includes Black Jack Gum, Wax Sticks, Pop Rocks and more.
6. Giambri’s Quality Sweets – Clementon, NJ
Giambri’s Quality Sweets founder, James Giambri, immigrated from Italy to the U.S. in 1900. James took a step into the candy industry when he opened his shop in 1942. For years, he carefully crafted all of his candy pieces by hand. Three generations later, James’ grand nephew, Dave, runs the store with his wife and children. To this day, the original recipes that James used in his time have been passed down to keep the candy’s fresh, authentic taste going.
Giambri’s Quality Sweets sells hard candy pieces such as peanut brittle and a range of candy sticks with flavors of lemon, orange and lime. Customers with special dietary restrictions can still enjoy Giambri’s classics by browsing through their options free of artificial coloring, corn, dairy, gluten, and artificial flavors. Easter and Christmas candy options are also available every year.
7. Hanna Krause’s Homemade Candy – Paramus and Toms River, NJ
At Hanna Krause’s Homemade Candy, high-quality ingredients are combined in copper kettles and cooked over an open flame. With locations in both Paramus and Toms River, NJ, this candy shop offers several chocolate-covered choices from nuts, fruits, graham crackers, pretzels, cherries and more.
Sugar-free candy is also an option at Hanna Krause’s. Besides chocolate options, gummy bears, coffee-flavored beans, mints and fruit slices fill up the shelves. They provide shipping options for their candy assortment in 48 of the 50 U.S. states.
8. Genevieve’s Chocolates – Garfield, NJ
With an outstanding 4.9 star review on Google, this store can be considered a chocolate lover’s dream paradise. Genevieve’s Chocolates is a family-owned business that has been open for over 76 years. Chocolates of all shapes, sizes and flavors you can think of are obtainable at this Garfield-based business. Truffles, meltaways, butter crunch, and chocolate-covered Oreos are just some of the items in their “Everyday Chocolates” selection.
9. Cardy’s Sugar Bowl – Lodi, NJ
To round out the candy shops on NJ’s list, Cardy’s Sugar Bowl likes calling themselves “The Old Fashioned Crazy Candy Store.” This storefront is rich with history; it all started with Antonio and Concetta DaGrosa, who immigrated to New York City from Italy. They eventually moved out to Lodi, NJ; that’s when Cardy’s Sugar Bowl was born—albeit under a different name. Several years later, the shop continues to thrive. Candies like Bottle Caps, Butterfingers, Big League Chew and Blow Pop line Cardy’s shelves.
Other than candies, Cardy’s has what they call “Fountain Delights.” Their menu has a range of fountain sodas, root beer floats, ice cream soda, milkshakes and old-fashioned egg creams. Cardy’s Sugar Bowl will make you step back in time by reminiscing on your childhood days with their vintage aesthetic.
Main image by Shirley810
Will you be visiting these candy shops in NJ? Let us know in the comments!
Bertha is currently a junior at Rutgers University-Newark. She is interested in writing about fashion, lifestyle, arts / culture and most importantly - food! When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her golden retriever dog, Gizmo.
