Georgia grows more pecans than almost any place in the country, and fall is when the fresh crop starts filling store shelves. That makes late autumn the best time to stock up for pies, candies, and holiday gift tins.
From roadside stops off busy highways to small-town shops on Main Street, these seven stores sell pecans every way you can imagine. Grab a map, bring a cooler, and plan a nutty little road trip before the holiday rush.
1. Ellis Brothers Pecans Inc, Vienna, GA
The phone number here spells out a little joke, and the website address is werenuts.com, which tells you the folks in Vienna do not take themselves too seriously. The pecans, though, are serious business.
Ellis Brothers is a roadside nut store on Tippettville Road that stocks a wide variety of pecans. You can buy them shelled or unshelled, and in sizes from halves to pieces to pecan meal for baking.
Shelves also hold just about everything that can be made with pecans. That includes sugar-free candies, a nice touch if someone on your gift list watches their sugar.
I like this stop for road trippers because it also serves homemade ice cream. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and weekday mornings tend to be quieter than Sunday afternoons, when the crowds roll in.
Parking is easy in the lot, and most visits are quick, so it fits nicely into a longer drive through South Georgia.
2. Merritt Pecan, Weston, GA
Cookbook lovers, take note. Merritt Pecan in tiny Weston carries a cookbook selection that can easily pull you away from the nut bins for a while.
The shop sits on GA-520 and works like a charming general store. Fresh pecans are sold by variety, which helps if you have strong opinions about what goes into your pie.
Beyond the nuts, shelves are filled with a large selection of Georgia-made products and local treats. Fresh baked goods round things out, so it is hard to leave with just one bag.
Hours run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Friday afternoons and weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so an early morning stop is smart during the holiday season.
3. Sunnyland Farms, Albany, GA
Since 1948, Sunnyland Farms has been growing and selling pecans on a 1,760-acre farm in Albany, a city that proudly calls itself part of Pecan Country.
That long history shows in the lineup. You will find gourmet Georgia pecans, other nuts, chocolates, dried fruits, candies, and gift assortments, with many snacks that are Kosher certified.
The dark and milk chocolate pecan clusters are a standout and make an easy holiday gift. There is also a wide variety of pecan candy and other pecan products to browse.
Plan around the schedule, since the shop is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on weekends. Can’t make the drive?
Delivery is available, which helps for sending gifts to family out of state.
4. Stone Mountain Pecan Co, Monroe, GA
Folks driving US-78 between Atlanta and Athens have a sweet excuse to pull over in Monroe.
Stone Mountain Pecan Co is a specialty nut store with a huge selection of pecans, pecan candy, and savory snacks. The pecans have a strong reputation for freshness and flavor, which is exactly what you want when baking for a crowd.
The savory side is a nice change of pace. If your holiday table needs something salty next to all the pies, this is a good place to find it.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed Sunday. In-store pickup is offered, and most visits are quick, so it works well as a midday errand.
5. Mascot Pecan Shelling Co, Glennville, GA
Chocolate-covered pecans are the headline act at this Glennville storefront on South Main Street.
Mascot Pecan Shelling Co is a chocolate and candy shop focused on coated pecans and assorted nut treats. It also sells plain pecans with a strong reputation for quality.
Gift-givers will appreciate the options for putting together boxes to send to family and friends. A tin of Georgia pecans is a pretty easy way to say happy holidays from the Peach State.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekends closed. There is no dine-in, but there is a restroom, which road trippers always appreciate.
6. Adcock Pecans, Tifton, GA
Late-night snack run? Adcock Pecans stays open until 9 p.m. every day, which makes it the night owl of this list.
The Tifton store opens at 7:30 a.m. and is easy to reach for travelers near I-75. Parking options include a free lot and free street parking.
Inside, you will find fresh shelled and unshelled pecans, gourmet pecans, candy, peanuts, and pecan brittle. There is also a wide selection of specialty jellies, sauces, and preserved fruits.
Those jellies and sauces make it easy to build a mixed gift basket in one stop. Weekend mornings and afternoons are the busiest, so a weekday evening visit is usually calmer.
7. Stuckey’s Pecan, formerly Atwell Pecan Co, Wrens, GA
Anyone who grew up on road trips probably remembers the Stuckey’s name. In Wrens, it now hangs on the shop once known as Atwell Pecan Co.
The retail shop on South Main Street sells top-quality fresh pecans along with assorted nut-based treats. The pecan treats are a tasty reason to grab a few extra bags for the car ride home.
I would save this stop for a weekday trip through east Georgia. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on weekends.
With holiday baking season heating up, it is a fine place to finish your pecan tour and stock the pantry before the big gatherings.
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