A tiny chocolate shaped like a flower bud first showed up in Pennsylvania in 1894.
That means it beat Hershey’s Kisses into the world by about 13 years, and its original recipe is still in use today.
The old ways didn’t stop there. One shop has sold candy since 1863 and still makes its chocolates on-site inside a restored historic building.
Another candy maker says it created the heart-shaped box of chocolates back in 1910. The company also operates an old-fashioned ice cream parlor alongside its candy shop.
Honestly, my sweet tooth calls this a history class worth attending twice.
Grab a cooler bag for the car and clear some room in your weekend. These candy makers prove that slow, careful chocolate still wins.
1. Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store
Some candy is old, and some candy is older than your great-grandma’s recipe box. Wilbur Buds date to 1894, and they still follow the original recipe.
You’ll find these little flower-bud chocolates at the retail store on North Broad Street in Lititz. The large factory production moved elsewhere years ago, but the shop kept the sweet part alive.
Inside, an on-site kitchen turns out many confections in small batches. Chocolatiers mix, drizzle, and dip treats by hand, so timing your trip matters.
Try to show up on a day when hand dipping is happening. Watching chocolate get coated the slow way beats any cooking show on TV.
Most of the shelves hold bags and boxes of Buds, plus dipped and specialty chocolates. Caramel is a standout pick, and Wilbur Buds come in milk chocolate and semisweet varieties.
Plan for a quick stop rather than a full afternoon.
Saturday afternoons get the busiest crowds. Weekday mornings tend to be calmer, and the shop stays open until 8 PM Wednesday through Friday.
Curbside and in-store pickup are both options if you’d rather skip browsing. Still, half the fun is picking out your own bag of Buds in person.
Pair your visit with a stroll through downtown Lititz, one of Pennsylvania’s most walkable small towns. Your souvenir problem is solved before you leave the block.
Address: 45 N Broad St, Lititz, PA 17543.
2. Shane Confectionery
Old City Philadelphia is packed with history, and one of its sweetest chapters sits right on Market Street.
Shane Confectionery operates in a restored historic building.
This is where candy has been made and sold since 1863, with the Shane family taking ownership in 1910.
The shop is done in the original style from its 1920s renovation. Wooden cases and old-school charm make it feel like a movie set, except the candy is real.
It’s often called the longest continuously running confectionery store in the country. That’s a big title, and the shop backs it up with chocolates and candies made on-site.
Buttercreams here come from an old family recipe and are made on a machine that’s been running for over a century. Think of it as a candy time machine with a sugar habit.
The shop also makes its own chocolate from cacao beans. So you get century-old methods next to modern bean-to-bar work, all under one roof.
Grab the Craftsman Chocolate Assortment if you can’t decide. It gives you a tasting tour without having to pick just one favorite.
The staff is known for being friendly and happy to share the building’s history. Ask questions, because the backstory makes the candy taste even better.
Hours run past dinner, with Friday and Saturday open until 9 PM. Saturday afternoons get crowded, so a weekday evening visit can feel more relaxed.
Delivery and takeout are available too. Still, this Pennsylvania landmark deserves an in-person look at least once.
Address: 110 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
3. Sarris Candies
Chocolate and sundaes under one roof sounds like a kid’s birthday wish list. In Canonsburg, it’s just a regular Tuesday at Sarris Candies.
The shop has a festive, nostalgic feel with a classic ice cream parlor built right in. You can shop the candy cases first, then sit down for something cold and messy.
Handcrafted chocolate from a family-owned business is the heart of the operation. Chocolate-covered pretzels are a popular grab, offering that salty and sweet crunch people keep coming back for.
Peanut butter meltaways and truffles also earn their spots on the list. If you like smooth centers, those two make a strong starting lineup.
Now for the parlor. The hot fudge sundae with chocolate ice cream is a classic, and banana split sundaes bring the full old-school show.
Craving something to sip? A chocolate milkshake is on the menu, and ice cream cakes are an option for birthdays or any day ending in Y.
Unlike some candy shops, this one offers dine-in seating and restrooms. That makes it a smart stop for families on a road trip through western Pennsylvania.
Hours run until 9 PM seven days a week. Saturday afternoons and evenings get the busiest, so weekday mornings are your best bet for elbow room.
Parking is available, making the trip easier. Bring a cooler if you’re driving far, because chocolate and car heat are not friends.
Address: 511 Adams Ave, Canonsburg, PA 15317.
4. Gardners Candies
A 16-year-old opened a small candy store in Tyrone back in 1897. Most teens today can barely keep a houseplant going, so that’s impressive.
Gardners Candies grew from that tiny start into a true Central PA institution. The flagship store still feels old school, in the best possible way.
The star here is the Original Peanut Butter Meltaway. It was developed in the early 1960s with help from the Penn State food science department.
Yes, a college helped invent your new favorite candy. That’s the kind of homework anyone would happily turn in.
Gardners Candies claims to have introduced the heart-shaped chocolate box in 1910, although similar boxes were already sold in the 19th century.
Next Valentine’s Day, you’ll have a fun fact ready for the checkout line.
Beyond the candy cases, the store has a candy museum with antique candy-making equipment and memorabilia. A video tour shows how the chocolates are made today.
Don’t skip the old-fashioned ice cream parlor. A scoop after a museum stroll makes the visit feel complete.
Hours run from 9:30 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours start at 1 PM, so plan around that if you’re coming after church or brunch.
Saturday afternoons get the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, which gives you more time with the museum displays.
Tyrone sits in the middle of the state, making it an easy detour on a central Pennsylvania drive. Your car will smell like peanut butter for days.
Address: 30 W 10th St, Tyrone, PA 16686.
5. Daffin’s Candies
Most candy stores stack boxes on shelves. Daffin’s Candies in Sharon went ahead and built an entire kingdom out of chocolate.
The Chocolate Kingdom is the showstopper, a display packed with elaborate chocolate sculptures. It’s the kind of thing you photograph first and question your own chocolate skills later.
Don’t let the sculptures steal the whole show, though. The real business here is homemade confections made in a traditional style.
The milk chocolate gets attention for its light, silky texture. Its flavor leans rich without going overly sweet, which makes it easy to keep nibbling.
Candy bars and chocolate eggs are popular picks. Milk chocolate-covered Oreos add a fun twist for anyone who loves cookies as much as candy.
Want something without chocolate? Hard candy is on the shelves too, and it’s listed as vegan.
The shop is built for shopping, not sitting.
Hours run 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Saturday afternoons are busiest, while weekday mornings are much calmer.
Curbside pickup is an option if you already know your order. Still, the sculptures alone make walking inside worth your time.
Sharon sits right near the Ohio line in western Pennsylvania. That makes it a sweet first or last stop for travelers crossing the border.
Address: 496 E State St, Sharon, PA 16146.
6. Rosalind Candy Castle Inc
Any business with the word castle in its name had better bring royal-level candy. Rosalind Candy Castle in New Brighton seems to understand the assignment.
The long-standing shop focuses on handmade candies. Peanut butter meltaways and chocolate-covered pretzels lead the lineup.
Meltaways are a western Pennsylvania favorite, and this shop treats them like a house specialty. If peanut butter is your weakness, start there.
Chocolate-covered strawberries are another reason to stop in. Fresh fruit dipped in chocolate is simple, but it’s hard to beat when it’s done right.
The shop’s own Candy Castle offerings are worth a look too. Ask what’s freshest on the day you visit.
Early birds, take note. The shop opens on weekday mornings, making it a convenient stop for an early candy run.
The shop opens at 10 AM on Saturdays and remains closed on Sundays. Thursday and Friday afternoons get busy, so mornings are a smart pick.
There’s no dine-in seating and no restroom. Treat this as a fast, focused candy run rather than a lingering outing.
Delivery and takeout are available if you’re sending a gift. Plan a quick visit, and check nearby parking options before arriving.
New Brighton sits in Beaver County, northwest of Pittsburgh. Pair your stop with a drive along the Beaver River for a sweet little day trip.
Address: 1301 5th Ave, New Brighton, PA 15066.
7. Gene & Boots Candies Inc
Open seven days a week from 9 AM to 9 PM, Gene and Boots Candies basically never makes you wait for a chocolate fix. Your sweet tooth will appreciate that kind of loyalty.
This charming shop in Perryopolis sells homemade chocolates alongside ice cream. It’s a two-for-one deal that turns a quick errand into a treat stop.
The candy selection is wide. Homemade candies sit next to nostalgic favorites that might remind you of grandma’s candy dish.
Here’s a bonus for some families. Sugar-free options are available, so more people at the table can join in.
The ice cream side makes summer visits extra tempting. Grab a cone while you decide which chocolates make the trip home.
The shop has deep roots in the area, with families coming back across many generations. That kind of staying power says a lot about how a candy maker does business.
Saturday afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds. Monday and Tuesday mornings are the quietest times to browse in peace.
A large parking lot keeps things simple. This is a quick-visit kind of place, perfect for a stop on a Fayette County drive.
Perryopolis is a small town southeast of Pittsburgh. It’s a pleasant detour for anyone exploring the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Bring a list, or don’t. Either way, you’ll probably leave with more than you planned.
Address: 2939 Pittsburgh St, Perryopolis, PA 15473.
8. Wertz Candies
Opera fudge sounds fancy enough to need a ticket. At Wertz Candies in Lebanon, all you need is a sweet tooth and a little patience at the counter.
The nostalgic shop is known for its handmade opera fudge. Fresh caramel corn is another signature, so prepare for some tough choices.
Homemade caramels and chocolate round out the cases. The selection leans fresh, which matters when candy is made in small amounts.
House-made fudge comes in a variety of flavors. Raspberry chocolate fudge is a fun pick if you like fruit with your chocolate.
Chocolate-covered blueberries are another treat worth trying. They’re small, bright, and dangerously easy to snack on during the drive home.
The space is tiny, so don’t expect a sprawling store. What it lacks in size, it makes up for with a solid lineup of old-school sweets.
Timing matters here more than at most shops. Weekday hours run 9:30 AM to 5 PM, Saturday closes at 2 PM, and Sunday is closed.
Curbside pickup and delivery are both available.
Lebanon County has a long candy and food tradition. A stop here fits nicely into a day spent exploring the area.
Go early on Saturday if that’s your only free day. Fudge waits for no one, especially when the doors close at 2.
Address: 718 Cumberland St, Lebanon, PA 17042.
9. Peter’s Chocolate Shoppe
Butler might not be the first town you think of for chocolate. Peter’s Chocolate Shoppe makes a strong case that it should be.
The family-owned shop offers a wide variety of fresh, handmade chocolates. Small-scale work like this is exactly what old-fashioned candy making looks like today.
Milk and dark chocolate both get plenty of attention here. Whichever side of that debate you’re on, you’ll find choices.
Gift shoppers, this one’s for you. The shop offers options in different price ranges, so you can go big or keep it simple.
Cocoa costs have climbed for candy makers lately. Handmade chocolate isn’t cheap, but a special gift or a personal treat feels worth it.
The staff is known for being friendly and helpful. That’s a nice bonus when you’re staring at a case full of tempting options.
Hours are short, so plan ahead. The shop opens 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Friday and 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday.
Sunday and Monday are closed. Showing up on either day will only lead to sad nose prints on the glass.
There’s no restroom, and it’s built for quick visits. Pop in, pick your favorites, and keep exploring downtown Butler.
Butler sits north of Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. It’s an easy drive if you’re craving chocolate made by hand with care.
Address: 326 W Jefferson St, Butler, PA 16001.
10. Sweet Ashley’s Chocolate
Chocolate-dipped Swedish Fish might sound like a dare.
At Sweet Ashley’s Chocolate in Royersford, chocolate-dipped Swedish Fish are one of the shop’s unusual creations.
This local shop offers a wide variety of handmade chocolates and truffles. A husband-and-wife team makes the chocolates, which gives the place a personal touch.
That small-team approach fits the old-fashioned theme perfectly. You’re buying candy from the people who actually make it.
Truffles are a great place to start. They’re rich, smooth, and easy to share, if you’re feeling generous.
The fun pairings are where things get playful. Besides the dipped Swedish Fish, keep an eye out for other unique combos in the cases.
Fine chocolates come in plenty of options, so bring a friend to split a box. Comparing favorites is half the fun.
Hours run 10 AM to 7 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday and Monday are closed, so plan your craving for midweek.
Curbside pickup, delivery, and takeout are all options.
Royersford sits in Montgomery County, not far from Philadelphia. It makes a sweet stop on a day trip through southeastern Pennsylvania.
Leave a little space in your bag before you arrive. Nobody walks out with just one truffle, and you probably shouldn’t try.
Address: 70 Buckwalter Rd #508, Royersford, PA 19468.