Oregon Has 7 Old-Fashioned Candy Shops That Still Sell Taffy

Some Oregon Coast traditions never go out of style, and grabbing a paper bag of saltwater taffy on the way home from the beach is near the top of that list. From Cannon Beach down to Newport, a handful of old-school candy shops still stack their walls with taffy in dozens of flavors, and several of them still pull it right in front of you on big machines you can watch through the glass.

This list covers seven of those shops, each with its own twist, whether that is a free sample off the taffy wheel, a late-night sugar stop, or a flavor lineup that runs from peanut butter to dill pickle. Save it for your next coastal road trip, because every stop here is a quick visit that easily turns into a family habit.

1. Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, Cannon Beach, OR

Here is a tip worth remembering: use the far right door. That entrance puts you right next to the taffy machine, where you can watch a batch being made and usually grab a free sample of whatever is coming off the taffy wheel.

Bruce’s makes its own saltwater taffy and caramel corn on-site, which is exactly why it leads this list. The shop sits at 256 N Hemlock St, right on the main stretch of Cannon Beach, so it fits easily between a walk to Haystack Rock and lunch in town.

Once you get past the taffy, the glass cases take over. Expect fresh chocolates, fudge, sour candies, carameled apples, retro candy bars, and even Pez collections for the nostalgic crowd.

I also like that there is a sugar-free section, which is not something every beach candy shop bothers with. It makes this an easy pick when you are shopping for a mixed group.

Hours run 10 AM to 5 PM most days, stretching to 6 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend afternoons get busy, so a weekday morning visit gives you more elbow room near the taffy machine.

2. Ainslee’s Salt Water Taffy, Depoe Bay, OR

Plenty of people walk into Ainslee’s planning to pick up just a few pieces of each flavor. Somehow the bag is nearly full by the time they reach the register.

That is the charm of a long-standing shop that specializes in saltwater taffy and makes it right there. The taffy machine runs where customers can see it, and kids tend to stay glued to it while the grown-ups work through the flavor bins.

Photos are welcome, too. The staff are happy to let visitors snap pictures of the machine in action, which makes it a fun little stop for families on a coast drive.

Taffy is the headliner, but do not overlook the chocolate covered sea foam. The shop also sells chocolates and popcorn, and prices are known for being fair.

You will find Ainslee’s at 66 US-101 in Depoe Bay, a tiny harbor town where the highway runs right along the water. It is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM, so it works as a morning break or an afternoon treat stop.

3. Read’s Homemade Candies, Lincoln City, OR

Lincoln City has several candy stores, but Read’s says it is the only one in town that makes its own saltwater taffy. That single detail explains why so many families keep coming back.

The shop has been turning out taffy and fudge for decades. Some local families have been buying their taffy here for three generations, which tells you a lot about how steady this place has been.

Inside, it is a small, classic candy shop with a good selection beyond the taffy. The staff are friendly and upbeat, and the whole place carries the old-fashioned nostalgia that fits the title of this list perfectly.

Early birds, take note. Read’s opens at 9 AM daily, earlier than most shops here, and closes at 4 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, with an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays.

It sits at 1009 NW U.S. 101, and there is a free parking lot, which helps a lot on busy summer weekends. Saturday and Monday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, while Wednesday and Thursday mornings are calmer.

4. Phillips Candies, Seaside, OR

Night owls get a real option in Seaside. Phillips Candies stays open until 8 PM most nights and 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, so an after-dinner stroll down Broadway can end with a bag of taffy.

This long-established store keeps its shelves loaded with old-fashioned favorites. Saltwater taffy comes in plenty of flavors, and the rest of the lineup includes popcorn, caramel corn, fudge, handmade candies, and Rocky Road chocolate.

The seafoam candy is a standout here, light and crisp with a loyal following. The toffee and the caramel corn, which balances salty and sweet, are also popular picks.

There is a gelato case too, which makes Phillips a handy two-in-one stop on a warm day. Novelty toy candies round things out for younger visitors.

Find it at 217 Broadway St, in the heart of downtown Seaside. It is a quick visit, but the variety makes it easy to linger longer than planned.

5. Seaside Candyman, Seaside, OR

Dill pickle taffy is real, and Seaside Candyman carries it. The flavor sits in the same rows as sour watermelon, peanut butter, and macadamia nut, so classic and adventurous taffy fans can shop side by side.

That mix of old and new is what gives this venerable shop its personality. The rows of saltwater taffy are the main draw, and filling up a big bag has become a regular part of many Oregon Coast trips.

The walls still hold old film photos, and the shop keeps the spirit of pre-2010s Seaside alive. Staff are kind and patient, even when the store fills up.

Jelly Belly fans will find plenty of flavors here as well. Fudge, ice cream, white chocolate covered caramels, and huckleberry toffee make great gifts for anyone who stayed home.

The shop is at 21 N Columbia St, Suite 105, just a short walk from Broadway. Weekday hours run 11 AM to 6 PM, and weekends open an hour earlier at 10 AM.

Weekend afternoons and evenings are the busiest times. Early weekday visits usually mean shorter lines and more time to debate flavors.

6. Newport Candy Shoppe, Newport, OR

Bring some cash before heading to the bayfront. Newport Candy Shoppe has been known to run cash only, and you will want to be ready once you see the taffy wall.

Yes, an entire wall. The saltwater taffy selection here is huge, making it one of the best spots on this list for anyone who likes to mix and match a long list of flavors.

This long-standing store also leans hard into chocolate. Chocolate dipped treats show up all over the shop, alongside fudge, caramel corn, and cotton candy.

A few classics give it extra old-school character. Look for rock candy, sour cherries, jelly beans, lollipops, and some seriously oversized jawbreakers.

The shop sits at 402 SW Bay Blvd, on Newport’s working bayfront, where fishing boats, shops, and sea lion viewing keep the street lively. It is open 10 AM to 6:30 PM most days and until 7 PM on Saturdays.

7. Candyland, Lincoln City, OR

Shopping for three kids with three different sweet tooths? Candyland makes that job simple, with nostalgic candies at reasonable prices and enough variety to keep everyone happy.

The saltwater taffy wall offers many flavor options, and it is the reason this shop earns its spot here. Plenty of brand-name candies fill the shelves too.

The rock candy deserves a special mention, since it is one of the shop’s best-known items. The fudge assortment is another strong choice for anyone who wants something richer than taffy.

Candyland doubles as a gift stop, with souvenirs and Lincoln City gifts mixed in with the sweets. The store is clean and tidy, and the staff help customers get exactly the sizes and types of candy they want.

Look for it at 1806 NE Hwy 101, on the north side of Lincoln City. It is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, and weekday mornings are the quietest time to browse.

From Cannon Beach to Newport, these seven shops prove the Oregon Coast still takes its taffy seriously. Pick one, or turn the whole list into a sweet road trip down Highway 101.