Remember holding a paper bag and picking candy one piece at a time? That simple joy is still alive in Massachusetts, from Cape Cod villages to small towns out west.
These seven sweet shops still let you point, scoop, and fill a bag with the treats you grew up on. Some have been around for generations, and each one gives you a different reason to stop in.
1. The Penny Candy Store, Sharon, MA
Candy cigarettes, Chuckles, Sky Bars, and Wacky Wafers all share shelf space at this Sharon favorite. If you have been hunting for a treat you have not seen since grade school, start here.
The shop carries thousands of different candies, both new and nostalgic, with plenty of bulk items leaning toward the old-fashioned side. You pick from the containers and bag your own mix, which makes it easy to build a custom haul.
Families with little ones get a patient welcome, which matters when a four-year-old wants one of everything. Bring a budget, because the selection makes it hard to stop.
The store sits at 10 Merchant St and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. It closes on Sundays, so plan weekend trips for Saturday.
2. Ye Olde Pepper Companie, Salem, MA
History buffs, this one goes back to 1806. Ye Olde Pepper Companie is widely known as the oldest candy company in America, and its flagship shop still sells candies tied to that long story.
The store on Derby Street offers old-fashioned candies, fudge, taffy, and chocolates. It is a small, quaint space, so the focus stays on the sweets instead of extras.
Salem draws big crowds, and Saturday afternoons are the busiest time here. Weekday mornings tend to be calmer if you want room to browse.
Hours run daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. I would pair this stop with a walk along the Salem waterfront nearby.
3. 1856 Country Store, Centerville, MA
Ten cents still buys a piece of penny candy in this Cape Cod village. The 1856 Country Store keeps the old general store spirit going in Centerville, part of the town of Barnstable.
The candy section is in the back. Little baskets wait for shoppers to grab their favorite candies, gum, and confections.
Up front, you will find glass bottled sodas, kids gifts, fun jewelry, home decor, and scented items. It makes a good rainy day stop during a Cape vacation.
The store is open daily from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Weekend and Friday afternoons get busy, so mornings midweek are easier.
4. Kandy Korner, Hyannis, MA
Some candies here cost just five cents, and that alone keeps grandparents and grandkids coming back. Kandy Korner sits right on busy Main Street in downtown Hyannis.
It is a large shop with an old-school style. Penny candy fills the baskets, and there is a wide mix of other candies too.
The homemade side is just as strong. Fudge, chocolates, turtles, and salt water taffy round out the counter.
Hours are 10 AM to 6 PM every day. For many families, a trip here becomes part of the yearly Cape routine.
5. Tuck’s Candy Factory, Rockport, MA
Dock Square in Rockport is a fine place to wander, and Tuck’s gives that stroll a sweet finish. This small-town shop makes its candy in house.
Fudge, chocolates, and salt water taffy are the stars. You choose from the displays and staff pack up your picks without rushing you.
Hours run 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and until 7 PM on weekends. That later weekend close helps after a full day exploring Cape Ann.
Parking nearby is paid street parking, so bring a card or coins. Delivery is also offered if you want treats sent home.
6. Richardson’s Candy Kitchen, Deerfield, MA
Out in Western Massachusetts, this candy kitchen has been making its sweets on site for about 70 years. Yes, they really do make it right there.
Handmade chocolates and truffles are the specialty. The variety in the glass cases is large and creative.
Service is the classic kind. You point, and the friendly staff follow along and fill your order piece by piece.
Parking is easy, with a free lot and free street spots. Hours are 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sunday.
7. Hilliards Chocolates, North Easton, MA
Late-night chocolate run? Hilliards stays open until 9 PM Monday through Saturday, which is rare for a candy shop.
The long counter is packed with homemade chocolates and other treats, and choosing just a few is the hard part. Displays fill the store, along with gift items.
The shop also serves homemade ice cream, so it works as a dessert stop. It is takeout only, with no dine-in seating and no restroom.
Sunday hours are 11 AM to 7 PM. Afternoons and evenings are busiest, so mornings are the calm window.
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