Remember when a trip to town meant a stool at the counter and a fizzy drink mixed by hand? In a handful of Illinois towns, that tradition never left.
From a Route 66 stop in Girard to a century-old confectionery in Moline, these soda fountains still pour sodas, scoop sundaes, and serve candy the old way. Pack a cooler for the chocolates, bring a little patience for the Saturday crowds, and plan a road trip around dessert for once.
1. Docs Just Off 66, Girard, IL
Soda fountain stools from the 1920s set the scene at this Girard stop, and the fountain itself is the real deal. Staff mix the syrup and carbonated water right in front of you, the way pharmacy counters did generations ago.
Girard is a small Route 66 town in Macoupin County with around 2,000 residents. A place with this much character is a pleasant surprise here.
The menu leans on comfort food. Look for the Deck Burger, Frisco Melt, Chicken Philly, and a Pharmacy Melt that nods to the building’s roots.
Save room for dessert, because that is the main event. Options include a Banana Split, a S’mores Sundae, custom milkshakes from the ice cream factory side of the menu, and Route 66 bottled sodas.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday, with a shorter 11 AM to 3 PM window on Sunday. The restaurant is closed Wednesdays and does not take reservations, so Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons can get busy.
Parking is free and usually easy to find.
2. Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, Tuscola, IL
Century-old tile floors and a marble fountain bar give Flesor’s the look of a candy shop that time politely skipped over. The building sits on Sale Street in Tuscola, a farm-country county seat lined with historic brick storefronts.
Sodas here are made the original way, with the syrup added by hand. The ice cream is homemade, and a Banana Split is a classic order.
Then there is the candy counter. Flesor’s makes its own chocolates and caramels, which makes this a smart stop for a take-home box.
Breakfast and lunch are served too, including a gyro, so it can fill a meal slot on a road trip. The large seating area handles groups, and reservations are accepted.
Doors open 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays are closed, and Saturday mornings tend to be the busiest stretch.
3. Heath Museum & Confectionery, Robinson, IL
Few people realize the Heath toffee bar has Illinois roots, but Robinson is proud to remind you. This courthouse square stop is part museum, part candy store, and part old-style soda shop.
Displays of Heath memorabilia and historic information cover the story of the famous candy. Look for the mural, and feel free to try the jukebox, which is free to play.
The soda fountain serves ice cream, Coke floats, and other treats. Fresh Heath bars are sold individually and in bulk, so stocking up is easy.
Robinson is a community of about 6,500 in southeastern Illinois. The confectionery sits on Court Street with on-site parking.
Plan around the short schedule. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM and closed Sunday.
4. The Sweet Shoppe, Canton, IL
Malts and sodas are the headline at this downtown Canton shop. It combines an old-fashioned soda fountain, a bakery, and a candy store under one roof.
Homemade ice cream anchors the fountain menu. The candy side leans nostalgic, which makes browsing half the fun.
Canton is a Fulton County town of about 13,000 with a traditional downtown on Main Street. The shop sits at 8 S Main St, an easy add-on to a stroll around the square.
Hours are tight, so check before you go. The Sweet Shoppe opens Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM, with Sundays and Mondays closed.
5. Curry’s Family Pharmacy, Riverton, IL
Soda fountains started in drugstores, and Curry’s keeps that connection alive. This independently owned pharmacy in Riverton has an actual soda fountain on the premises.
It is the most low-key stop on the list. You come for prescriptions or everyday products and leave with a reminder of how hometown pharmacies used to work.
Riverton is a village of roughly 3,400 people in Sangamon County, just east of Springfield. That makes Curry’s a short detour for anyone exploring the capital area.
The pharmacy is open 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday. I would aim for a Monday or Tuesday morning, which tend to be quieter than Thursday and Friday afternoons.
6. Lagomarcino’s Confectionery, Moline, IL
Since 1908, this 5th Avenue confectionery has been making candy and pouring sodas in Moline. The turn-of-the-century storefront has been preserved, so the history is easy to see.
Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Sodas are a signature here. The Hot Fudge Banana Split is another classic, and the fudge has a strong following.
Lunch is possible too. The menu includes a Reuben and a grilled cheese if you want something before dessert.
Homemade candies fill the shop, so it is easy to leave with a bag for later. Free lot and street parking help in a busy river city of about 42,000.
Lagomarcino’s is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5:30 PM. It closes on Sundays.
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