Almost Famous Sweets & Sodas in Mt. Vernon has a large selection of hard-to-find candies, sweets, soda pop and root beer.

Yes, it’s possible to still be a kid in a candy store in Ohio, where you can find homemade candies as well as old-fashioned candy brands you haven’t seen in years. Included here are primarily Ohio-owned, multi-generational candy shops and makers. Most of the shops listed offer online ordering and shipping.

Almost Famous Sweets & Sodas – A family-owned shop with more than 150 soda and drink options and a rotating selection of candies, fudge, sweets, popcorn, snacks that’s hard to find anywhere. 1 E. High St., Mt. Vernon (740) 326-9602. Connect on Facebook.

Anthony-Thomas Candy Co. – This five-generation family-owned company began in 1916 and moved to its current production facility in 1995. Anthony-Thomas Candy Co. is the largest family-owned-and-operated candy company in the Midwest. Anthony-Thomas Buckeye candies are near-legendary. Over 200 people are employed in the factory, office, warehouse, and retail stores. Tours are available at its production facility, 1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus (877) 266-4921.

B.A. Sweetie Candy Company – Founded in 1950, B.A. Sweetie Candy Company is the largest candy store in North America with 40,000 square feet of fun. More than 800 bins of bulk candy alone in a true candy warehouse. This huge complex also includes Sweeties Soda Shoppe, Sweeties Golfland Park and Sweeties Popcorn Kitchen. 6770 Brookpark Road, Cleveland (216) 739-2244.

Boyd’s Retro Candy – In operation since 1906, Boyd’s Retro Candy is a true old-time candy store where you’ll find everything from rock candy to brand-name favorites from the 1950s, ’60s and ‘70s. Enjoy a whole line of retro soda pops and root beers. 954 Phillips Ave., Toledo (419) 720-7387.

Buckeye Candy Company – Buckeye Candy Company offers the best selection of candy, sweets and treats in central Ohio, plus a great variety of root beers and soda pops, novelty candy items and much more. 355 Granville St., Gahanna (614) 269-7116. Connect on Facebook.

Coblentz Chocolate Co. – Coblentz Chocolate Co. opened in 1987 in Walnut Creek with three employees hand-dipping chocolates. This Amish Country company has grown considerably since then with a state-of-the-art production facility but still uses the freshest, top quality local ingredients. 4917 SR 515, Walnut Creek (800) 338-9341.

Coons Candies – The Coons family is now in its fifth generation of making high-quality candies since 1917 in Harpster in north-central Ohio. Coons Candies specialty is handmade toffee. 16848 CR 113 (just off US 23), Harpster (740) 496-4141; (833) 496-4141.

The Peanut Shoppe has been a landmark in downtown Columbus since 1936.

Dietsch Brothers – A Findlay landmark and an original 1937 family-operated candy and ice cream shop; Dietsch Brothers has been at the same location since 1956. View ice cream and candy being made daily. 400 West Main Cross St., Findlay (419) 422-4474.

Esther Price Candy Co. – Esther Price began making fudge in the 1920s to help support her family. Since 1926, Esther Price’s handmade, quality chocolate candies have been made to her exacting standards. Sugar free available. 1709 Wayne Ave., Dayton (937) 253-2121.

Fannie May/Harry London Candy Co. – For over a century, Fannie May and Harry London has been crafting delicious chocolates in the heart of America. Facility tours are available. 5353 Lauby Road, North Canton (800) 321-0444. Connect on Facebook.

Gorant Chocolatier – Gorant Chocolatier has been making dozens of varieties of fine hand-made candies since 1949. Factory offers tours of the operations and store. 8301 Market St. (SR 7), Youngstown (800) 572-4139 ext. 236.

Goumas Candyland – Founded in 1911, family-owned and operated Goumas Candyland specializes in hand-dipped chocolates, candies and other treats. Sugar-free available. Three locations: 19 Claren Drive, Heath (740) 522-6294; 113 N. Prospect St., Granville (740) 587-4726; and 18 N. Park Place, Newark (740) 345-7440.

Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweeties Chocolates – Since 1978, Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweeties Chocolates has offered home smoked meats, specialty cheeses, Amish country jams, jellies and pickles, local honey and maple syrup and homemade chocolates and fudge. 3916 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Norton (330) 825-1500. Also listed under Grocery Stores, Bulk Food Stores and Markets.

Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop – This may be the ultimate old-style candy shop, with over 250 brands of candy bars and more than 100 types of bulk candies. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop is filled wall to wall and floor to ceiling with every candy you can imagine, plus hundreds of glass bottle soda pops and novelty gift items. Try their “$5 Candy Buffet,” fill a box with candy for $5. Ohio locations:

• 82 N. Paint St., Chillicothe (740) 773-7100.
• 2156 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls (330) 805-4557.
• 42 S. Main St., Miamisburg (937) 247-5938.
• 1212 Central Ave., Middletown (513) 783-4013.
• 101 W. High St., Springfield (937) 717-0169.
• 1 E. Main St., Troy (937) 980-9035.

Harry Birt’s Store – Harry Birt’s Store specializes in a huge variety of homemade candies and chocolates (including sugar-free). The store is operated by the fourth generation of the same family, located in a former hotel, established in 1920 by Harry Birt Sr. Located at 501 Main St., New Weston (937) 338-3111.

Heggy’s Candy Company – Heggy’s Candy Company has built a rich tradition of premium handcrafted chocolates and candies throughout the United States for nearly 100 years. Founded by Ben Heggy in 1923, Heggy’s remains one of the premiere candy companies in America.  743 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton (330) 455-7703.

Heggy’s Nut Shop – Heggy’s Nut Shop is a restaurant, ice cream shop and nut/candy store, featuring homemade ice cream, shakes, sodas and sundaes; burgers, coneys, sandwiches and sides. Selection of fine handmade chocolates and fresh roasted nuts. 3200 W. Tuscarawas St. SW, Canton (330) 454-6611. Connect on Facebook. Also see listing under Ice Cream Shops & Stands.

Koch Homemade Caramel – Family-owned and operated caramel shop that uses a 1904 family recipe for rich, delicious caramels in assorted varieties. 232 E. Muskingum St., Freeport (740) 658-3428.

Malley’s Chocolates – Family-run business since 1935, Malley’s Chocolates offers 19 candy store/ice cream parlor locations in Northeast Ohio. Corporate headquarters: 1685 Victoria Ave., Lakewood (216) 362-8700; customer care center (216) 226-8300.

Marie’s Candies – Family-owned business started in 1956 that is now in their third generation of ownership, with wide variety of chocolates and non-chocolate treats. 311 S. Zanesfield Road (US 68), West Liberty (937) 465-5781.

Maumee Valley Chocolate & Candy – Maumee Valley Chocolate and Candy is a locally owned and operated classic chocolate and retro candy store featuring fine fresh chocolates, boxed chocolates, sugar-free chocolates and candies, a large selection of nuts and specialty popcorn, beautiful gift baskets, fruit bouquets and full-service party and event catering. 101 East Wayne Street, Maumee (419) 893-2388.

The Fat Apple Bakery – This shop is not only a bakery with baked goods, pies, pepperoni rolls and more, but has a huge selection of candy, chocolates, gourmet apples, mugs, purses, Mexican and other imported candy. There’s also an ice cream parlor, toy store, build-a-bear factory, kids costume boutique and kiddie rides. 225 Main St., Bridgeport, open Wed.-Sat. 10-6 (740) 298-6770.

The Peanut Shoppe – In 1936, the Planters Peanut Co. opened The Peanut Shoppe shop in the heart of downtown Columbus. The iconic neon Mr. Peanut sign still glows from above the store, which carries dozens of varieties of fresh-roasted nuts as well as candies. 21 E. State St., Columbus (614) 221-8327. Connect on Facebook.

Soda Pop’s in Sandusky has vintage candies and sodas along with toys, games and collectibles.

Soda Pop’s – Do you remember wax lips, Necco Wafers, candy cigarettes, candy buttons, Pop Rocks or Zagnut bars? How about Atomic Fireballs, Lemon Heads and Bit-O-Honey? Sandusky Soda Pop’s has all of those candies and more! Soda Pop’s also has glass bottle sodas and root beers as well as toys, games and collectibles. 209 W. Water St., Sandusky (419) 635-6147. Connect on Facebook.

Spangler Candy Co. – Spangler Candy Co., founded in 1906, is a family-owned company that manufactures Dum Dum Pops, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts, Canada Mints, Bit-O-Honey, candy canes and other candies at its factory in Bryan. The company’s former store, museum and tours have closed. However, Spangler Candy World is coming soon to downtown Bryan. The attraction will have historical displays, activities for all ages, a retail store with candy and merchandise and a big-screen tour of the factory. 400 N. Portland St., Bryan (419) 636-4221.

Sweets & Geeks – This store combines your candy craving with your interest in toys, gaming, superheroes and more. You’ll find candy, snacks, soda pop, apparel, comics, games, novelties, puzzles, pop culture and licensed collectibles as well as Lego and Funko products. 342 E. Smith Road, Medina; locations in North Olmsted and Wooster planned.

Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy – Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy is a Youngstown-based, female-owned company providing high quality vintage t-shirts, specializing in candy brand names. They also offer a huge assortment of candies, which can be purchased either online or at their shop. 1282 Trumbull Ave. Suite #A1, Girard (330) 759-3500.

Tacie’s Sweet Treats – Tacie’s Sweet Treats is your number one stop for sweet treats for all of your events, business or personal. 96 E. Main St., Logan (740) 412-4074. Connect on Facebook.

Wittich’s Candy Shop – Wittich’s Candy Shop, established in 1840, is the nation’s oldest family owned and operated candy shop. Wittich’s makes their candies in small batches and hand-dips them in creamy milk chocolate or rich dark chocolate. Stop in for candy, gifts and refreshing shakes, sodas and ice cream treats from the soda fountain. 117 W. High St., Circleville (740) 474-3313.

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