Some candy still gets made the slow way, by hand, in shops that have not changed much in decades. New York has a surprising number of these places, from tiny Brooklyn storefronts to old-fashioned counters way upstate.
Each one has its own signature treat, whether that is sponge candy, hand-dipped chocolate, or fresh caramel apples. Here are seven old-school shops across the state that still craft their sweets the traditional way.
1. JoMart Chocolates, Brooklyn, NY
Since 1946, this little shop in the Homecrest and Sheepshead Bay corner of Brooklyn has been turning out hand-dipped chocolates the old-fashioned way. It is the kind of neighborhood spot that families have counted on for generations.
The selection runs deep, with a huge range of handcrafted chocolates plus sugar-free options for folks who need them. The dark chocolate has a loyal following, and the homemade marshmallow is one of those treats people come back for specifically.
Beyond the candy counter, JoMart also carries baking supplies and puts together gift baskets and party favors, which makes it a handy stop when you need something for a holiday or a celebration.
A few things to know before you go. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and closed Sunday and Monday.
You can grab takeout or arrange delivery, but there is no dine-in seating. Street parking is available, both free and paid.
You will find it at 2917 Avenue R.
2. Oliver’s Candies, Batavia, NY
Road trips through western New York have a natural pit stop in Batavia, and Oliver’s Candies has been that treat-on-the-way-home for a lot of families. It is a spacious shop packed with handmade candies plus an ice cream counter.
Sponge candy is the star here, made in house with that classic crunchy-to-creamy texture that melts in your mouth. You will also find truffles, ribbon candy, and the old-timey merri-mints that taste just like the ones people remember from the 1970s.
The shop leans hard into nostalgia, rotating in holiday-specific chocolates throughout the year while keeping the timeless favorites stocked year round. It has earned its reputation as one of the go-to candy makers in the Batavia area.
Oliver’s is open every day from 9 AM to 9 PM, which is unusually generous hours for a candy shop. Saturday afternoons and evenings get busy, so a weekday or Sunday morning visit is calmer.
There is a parking lot on site, and the shop is set up for quick in-store pickup.
Find it at 211 W Main St.
3. Parkside Candy, Buffalo, NY
Walking into Parkside Candy on Main Street in Buffalo is a bit like time travel. The store has held onto its early 1900s look, with a beautiful oval interior, dim yellow lights, checkered floor tiles, and pastel walls lined with pieces of its own history.
The atmosphere alone is worth the visit, but the sweets keep people coming. Parkside is known for sponge candy, hand-prepared chocolates, and a full lineup of ice cream creations, from banana splits to milkshakes.
It is the rare shop where you can browse handmade candy and sit down for a sundae under the same historic ceiling. That mix of vintage soda-fountain charm and traditional confectionery is what sets it apart from the other stops on this list.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from noon to 6 PM. Afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch across the week.
Parking is easy, with a free lot, on-site spaces, and free street parking.
The address is 3208 Main St.
4. Hercules Candy Company, East Syracuse, NY
If you have ever fallen down a candy-making rabbit hole online, you may already know Hercules Candy Company. The East Syracuse shop grew a big following through its YouTube videos, and plenty of people found the store that way before ever tasting a single piece.
Behind the screen is a genuine family-run operation that has been making candy for years. The cozy, old-fashioned shop specializes in handmade chocolates and sweets, including peanut butter cups, potato chip bark, hard candies, ribbon candy, and made-from-scratch chocolate-covered sponge candy.
What comes through is a real focus on quality and on treating customers like longtime friends. The holiday assortments are a big draw, and the online orders arrive carefully packaged.
Hercules is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, closed Sunday. Friday and Saturday afternoons are the busiest windows.
There is a free parking lot, and the shop offers curbside and in-store pickup.
Stop by at 720 W Manlius St.
5. Li-Lac Chocolates (Greenwich Village), New York, NY
Right in the heart of Greenwich Village sits an old-school-style chocolate shop that has become a New York City favorite. Li-Lac specializes in artistically shaped chocolates alongside plenty of classic candies.
The chocolates come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, in dark, milk, and white, which makes the shop a go-to for any occasion. The quality sits near the top of what you can find in the city, and the prices reflect that.
The staff act like true chocolatier experts, walking you through samples, helping build custom orders, and packing special requests like gluten-free items separately. That hands-on service is part of what gives the place its unique, old-style chocolate factory feel.
Li-Lac is open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM, Friday and Saturday until 7:30 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. There is no restroom or dine-in seating, but you can shop in store, order takeout, or arrange delivery, and there is free wi-fi.
The shop is at 75 Greenwich Ave.
6. Philip’s Candy, Staten Island, NY
Candy apples are a big deal at Philip’s Candy, a long-running Staten Island store that has kept old-fashioned favorites alive for years. The candied apple varieties are a signature, and many people make it an annual tradition to stock up.
The selection goes well beyond apples. You can pick up fresh homemade fudge, chocolate-covered bananas rolled in nuts, plump chocolate-dipped strawberries, sweet popcorn, cotton candy, and jelly candies.
The freshness is the whole point here. Whatever they are making, it is made to be eaten soon, and the staff have a reputation for being warm and helpful while you decide.
Philip’s is closed Monday, then open Tuesday through Sunday with hours that stretch a little longer later in the week, up to 7 PM on Friday and Saturday. The shop offers in-store shopping, pickup, and delivery, and there is free street parking.
You will find it at 8 Barrett Ave.
7. Krause’s Homemade Candy, Albany, NY
Some people drive all the way from New York City to Albany just for the chocolate at Krause’s Homemade Candy, and that says something. The shop has a bright, cheerful look that has been compared to Santa’s workshop.
Everything is homemade here, from chocolates with all sorts of fillings to fudge and holiday treats. The chocolate-covered gummy bears are a fun surprise, and the caramel apples are popular enough that people have ordered them by the dozen for events.
The store also handles special orders and gifts, making it a solid choice around the holidays or for celebrations. Friendly service and consistent quality are what keep the regulars loyal, some of them from well outside the Albany area.
Krause’s is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Sunday. Saturday afternoon is the busiest time, while weekday mornings and evenings are quiet.
There is a free parking lot, and the shop offers in-store shopping and pickup.
Visit at 1609 Central Ave.
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