The best candy stores in every southern state

If there’s one thing that prevails, it’s that candy never goes out of style. No matter your age, it’s almost impossible not to stop in a candy store when you come across one. And it’s not just because of the sweets; it’s the childlike wonder, the cherished memories and the sweet taste of nostalgia that draws you in. In the South it is clear that we share our love for sweet treats. Many Southern candy stores have kept our youth alive for more than a century, and even the modern stores, with their inventive twists on confectionery, have been welcomed with open arms. Whether it’s handmade chocolates, lollipops the size of your head or the best chocolates you’ve ever tasted, there’s a shop for every kind of sweets lover. Here are the standout candy stores in each Southern state.

How we picked this list

These candy stores have been selected by the editors of Southern life who report, investigate and visit candy stores in the South.

Alabama: Pizelle’s Candy

Courtesy of Pizzelle’s Confections

Huntsville

Co-owned by two sisters with a passion for culinary and visual arts, this Huntsville store is among the best in the country. Pizzelle’s Confections offers a variety of homemade treats, from ice cream and pastries to cookies and even soda. But the real star of the show are the handmade chocolates. Each piece is designed, sculpted and detailed by a team of chocolate artisans, creating pieces so beautiful you almost hesitate to eat them.

pizzellesconfections.com; 2500 Clinton Ave W suite d, Huntsville, AL 35805; 256-960-8321

Arkansas: Martin Greer’s Candies

Courtesy of Martin Greer’s Candies

Garfield

Thanks to Martin Greer Jr., a second-generation candy maker who learned the trade from his father and now passes it on to his sons, the treats in this shop are truly a labor of love. From peanut brittle and fudge to hand-dipped chocolates and caramels, all of Greer’s creations are made from scratch. On your next visit to the Ozark Mountains, be sure to stop by to experience the timeless flavors of the Greer family.

martingreerscandies.com; 22151 US-62, Garfield, AR 72732; 479-656-1440

Florida: Sweet Pete’s candy

Courtesy of Sweet Pete’s Candy

Jacksonville

‘Candy shop’ is a rather modest term for this three-storey candy house. Housed in a 240,000-square-foot Victorian building in downtown Jacksonville, Sweet Pete’s Candy is the largest candy store in the Southeast. The store exudes Willy Wonka-esque whimsy, from the fully functioning factory to the enthusiastic owners and the ever-changing seasonal decor. In addition to more than 1,000 types of sweets, you can also indulge in the full restaurant, bar and ice cream parlour. To fully experience this wonderland, be sure to book a tour, which may even include being shown around by Pete himself.

sweetpetescandy.com; 400 N Hogan St, Jacksonville, FL 32202; 904-643-4172

Georgia: Savannah’s Candy Kitchen

Courtesy of Visit Savannah / Savannah’s Candy Kitchen

Savannah

Any traveler with a kid’s heart should visit this candy store, located on cobblestone River Street in downtown Savannah, at least once in their life. You’ll never run out of choices in this enormous store filled from floor to ceiling with classic sweets, pastries and the famous pralines that put the company on the map. With homemade chocolates, fresh popcorn, gelato, taffy and pretty much every other treat you can think of, there really is something for every sweet tooth.

savannahcandy.com; 225 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401; 912-233-8411

Kentucky: Muth’s Candies

Courtesy of Muth’s Candies

Louisville

A hometown favorite since 1921, this family-owned gem offers a true taste of Kentucky and a step back in time. Over the years the store has retained its vintage charm. Case in point: the original countertops, display cases filled with antique candy boxes, and a glowing flag sign above the store’s entrance. Try the Louisville-born Modjeska: a homemade marshmallow covered in caramel that’s still prepared in the same copper vats they’ve used for more than a century. Newcomers should also try Muth’s famous bourbon balls, made with Very Old Barton bourbon.

muthscandy.com; 630 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202; 502-585-2952

Louisiana: Southern Candymakers

Courtesy of Southern Candymakers

New Orleans

In the Big Easy, you probably won’t find a candy spot that is as generous with its samples as Southern Candymakers. In addition to the famous traditional pralines, you can try sweet potato pralines, caramel, turtle and toffee. You can also pick up New Orleans classics like Café du Monde coffee, beignet mix, and Cajun seasoning to take home. The shop has two locations in the French Quarter, so just follow the smell of fresh hot chocolates wafting out the doors, and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Southerncandymakers.com; Main Store: 334 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130; 504-523-5544

Maryland: Rheb’s Homemade Candies

Thanks to Rheb’s homemade sweets

Baltimore

This fourth-generation candy store has been a fixture in Baltimore since 1917, when Louis and Esther Rheb started making chocolates in their basement on Wilkens Avenue. Years later, they turned their garage into a candy store, where Louis’ recipes are still used today. Choose your own range of chocolates – white, milk, dark and even sugar-free – along with chunks, jellies, truffles and clusters. If you visit during the holidays, don’t be surprised to see a line of customers stretching out the door and lining up a block away. But as they say, the best things are worth the wait.

rhebs.com; 3352 Wilkens Ave, Baltimore, MD 21229; 410-644-4321

Mississippi: The Candy Cottage & Gourmet

Thanks to The Candy Cottage & Gourmet

Ocean resources

It wouldn’t be a candy store in Mississippi without chocolates and pecans. Luckily, the Candy Cottage serves both, and more. For nearly three decades, this old-fashioned candy shop has been supplying downtown Ocean Springs with homemade Southern treats, including handcrafted turtles, chocolate-covered almonds and velvety fudge. And if you’ve never tried chocolate dipped chips, this is the place to change that.

stores.candycottageonline.com; 702 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564; 228-875-8268

North Carolina: the candy factory

Natasha Connell / Courtesy of The Candy Factory

Lexington

In this old-fashioned candy store, the nostalgia is as sweet as the candy. From the wooden floors to the vintage memorabilia (available for purchase) and glass soda bottles, it’s hard not to feel like a kid again as you stroll the aisles. When it comes to sweets, you’ll likely find childhood favorites, from candy cigarettes to fudge and everything in between.

lexingtoncandyfactory.com; 15 N Main St, Lexington, NC 27292; 336-249-6770

Oklahoma: Bedré Fine Chocolate

Thanks to Bedré Fine Chocolate

Davis

Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, this premium chocolate shop is located just off I-35 at Exit 55 and is the sweetest pit stop in the area. Bedré, Norwegian for ‘better’, prides itself on making quality chocolate that honors the time-honored traditions of the Native Americans. As you enter the gift shop, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of treats, including chocolate twists, handmade white fudge bark, and even chocolate-covered coffee beans. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a glimpse into Bedré’s 31,000-square-foot production facility, where you can watch the chocolatiers work their magic.

bedrechocolates.com; 37N Colbert Dr, Davis, OK 73030; 580-369-4200

South Carolina: Pendleton Candy Company

Courtesy of Pendleton Candy Company

Pendleton

This newcomer to the candy scene has quickly captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. In its first year, The Pendleton Candy Company earned a 2024 Best of South Carolina Award thanks to enthusiastic customer votes. This real Candyland is filled with shelves with colorful candies, boxes with homemade treats and playful LED signs. But what really keeps people coming back is owner Kimberly Blackwell, a mortgage banker turned baker who draws inspiration from her grandmother’s recipes to create unique candies.

instagram.com/pendletoncandycompany; 119 N Mechanic St, Pendleton, SC 29670; 703-214-6060

Tennessee: Smoky Mountain Candy Makers

Courtesy of Smoky Mountain Candy Makers

Pigeon Forge

For all taffy lovers, this family-owned business is a must-visit on your next drive through the Smokies. You can watch the magic happen as the taffy is made and packed right in front of you with a 1940s taffy packing machine. In addition to the Tennessee Taffy, this 50-year-old establishment also serves homemade fudge, sugar-free treats, and the famous Tennessee Mud Pie.

smokymountaincandymakers.com; 3410 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863; 865-453-9213

Texas: Big Top Candy Store

Thanks to Big Top Candy Shop

Austin

Be surprised by the colorful interior and playful design of this circus-themed candy store. As the first candy store in the United States to offer chocolate-covered bacon, Big Top Candy Shop is well-versed in leaving an impression. Enjoy a drink from the old-fashioned soda fountain while browsing more than 300 varieties of bulk candies and more than 2,000 varieties of packaged candies. When you arrive, don’t forget to say hello to Peanuts the Elephant, pictured on the South Congress sign above the store’s entrance.

bigtopcandyshop.com; 1706 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704; 512-462-2220

Virginia: Wythe Candy & Gourmet store

Thanks to Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop

Williamsburg

Don’t let the quaint brick exterior fool you: this beloved candy store, located in historic Merchants Square, is home to the largest selection of candy in the Williamsburg area. Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop has been serving classic candies, freshly made fudge, caramel apples and hand-dipped chocolates for more than 50 years. Now owned by father-daughter duo Gordon and Kimberly Angles, it remains a must-visit for anyone looking for a little nostalgia with their sweet treats.

wythecandy.com; 414 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185; 757-229-4406

West Virginia: True Treats Historic Candies

Brown W. Cannon III

Harpers Ferry

There aren’t many places where you can try the oldest known chewing gum, but this little time capsule of a store makes it possible. True Treats, located in the early American town Harpers Ferryis the nation’s only research-based historic candy store. Travel through time as you explore sweets, organized by century and decade, from the 16th century to the present. It’s like wandering through a museum, but this time you get to take the exhibits home with you.

truetreatscandy.com; 144 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425; 304-461-4714