Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Delco’s Go-To Candies

Nothing lifts the spirits quite like a sugary confection or a decadent piece of chocolate. These little morsels of delight are reminders to slow down and enjoy life’s small pleasures—there doesn’t need to be a special occasion to enjoy a moment of sweetness.

 

While you can go into any convenience store or supermarket and find aisles filled with candy and chocolate, we suggest shopping small at one of Delco’s many candy shops and chocolatiers. Whether you’re looking for fruity and chewy, decadent and rich, quirky and nostalgic or all of the above, our local sweets purveyors have got you covered! 

 

Candy Shops

 

Kelly’s Kandy is a third-generation, family-owned and operated candy shop that feels (in the best way) of another era. Kelly’s specialty is chocolate-covered pretzels, fine filled chocolates and seasonal specials for holidays, like Easter and Valentine’s Day. It’s so much fun to peruse the glass cases filled with chocolate bonbons and buttercreams and fill a precious white box full! The shop also carries fun wrapped candies, including lollipops, gummies and piece candy.

12 MacDade Blvd., Collingdale; (610) 461-4676.

 

 

If your family can’t agree on the “best” kind of candy, stop into Googahlini’s Candy Land, where everyone can fill a bag from the numerous glass jars of chocolate and fruity sweets lining the shelves! Cake pops, marshmallows, chocolate pretzels and popcorn mean there really is something for all tastes. Googahlini’s also creates custom chocolate “charcuterie boards” and candy stations, a great way to enhance parties and special occasions.

605 Chapel Rd., Newtown Square; (267) 588-9191.

 

Though you might know The Sugaree primarily as an ice cream parlor, these cheerful shops also feature a fabulous selection of candies! While there are some standard offerings, the real score here are the novelty items, like Pez dispensers, rock candy, candy necklace, bubble gum tape, wax lips, Pixy Stix, and other unique throwbacks. 

3117 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square; (610) 356-1066; 134 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne; (484) 580-8822.

 

 

Arcade games and candy: Name a better combo! Game on State, right on Media’s State Street, delivers both in style. The front of the store is a candy-lover’s dream, with over 350 varieties of sweets, both nostalgic and modern options. Choose from the packaged candy or grab a bag and fill it up at the Bulk Candy Wall, featuring chewy, gummy and chocolate treats. Then, hit the arcade in the back pinball and retro and current games! 

31 W. State St., Media; (610) 566-7529.

 

 

There isn’t anywhere quite like The Head Nut. This bulk foods wonderland features everything, from coffee and spices to baking supplies and grains to snack mixes and dried fruit, and, of course, nuts. There is also a ton of candy to explore, from European chocolate bars and obscure throw-back novelties, to bags full of licorice, nonpareils, gummy bears, caramels, and so much more.

2408 Haverford Rd., Ardmore; (610)-642-3066.

 

 

No visit to Booth’s Corner—one of Delco’s many awesome farmers markets—is complete without a stop at The Candy Counter. With a charming old-school feel and a huge selection, it’s a perfect spot to pick up a few gifts, like artisan Asher’s Chocolates or a box of fudge, or load up on your favorite nibbles, like swedish fish, jelly beans, butterscotch and taffy! There are lots of specialty items on offer around the holidays, as well. 

1362 Naaman’s Creek Rd., Boothwyn; (610) 494-6860. 

 

 

Chocolatiers

For over 65 years, Bevan’s Own Make Candy has been supplying Delco with gourmet chocolates and confections, made fresh on-site each day (a rarity these days!). Fan favorites include the milk and dark chocolate buttercreams, sea salt caramels, chocolate-covered pretzels and nut clusters, as well as holiday specials such as Easter bunnies and Valentine’s Day chocolate hearts. 

143 E. Baltimore Pike; Media; (610) 566-0581.

 

 

Christopher Chocolates aims to “Make the world a happier place, one bite at a time.” This family-owned business was founded in 1986 by David and Laurel Lamparelli. They named it after their son, Christopher, who now works for the family business, too! Back in the day, their first breakout treats were chocolate-covered pretzels; today, the shop’s shelves are filled with an incredible array of carefully crafted creations: high-quality chocolates and truffles, candies and even salty snacks. Gift baskets and custom orders are also available.

3519 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square; (610) 359-1669.

 

Lerro Candy Co. has been in business since 1916—that’s well over 100 years of delicious locally made candy! The shop was originally founded in Philadelphia, but moved to its current location in Darby in the 1950s. Now in its fourth generation, Lerro’s is still going strong. Its year-round offerings include milk chocolate pretzels, vanilla buttercreams, almond bark and peanut brittle. But it’s Lerro’s coconut cream and buttercream Easter eggs that are truly iconic: Tucked into their cute boxes with clear windows, these have been gracing the Easter baskets of Delco kids for decades. Note: Lerro’s is an online-only retailer.

601 Columbia Ave., Darby; (610) 461-8886.  

 

Made in Delco

 

Thanks to a viral moment on social media, freeze-dried candy is a trend that’s here to stay! TAFF Treats in Brookhaven jumped in on the action in 2022, popping up at local markets and events. In the summer of 2023, TAFF opened a storefront where its crunchy, airy freeze-dried candy, and now soft-serve ice cream, are available for purchase. Philly-inspired flavors include DELCO Puffs, Down the Shore Taffy and Air Jawns. It also does a great wholesale business, currently supplying 40 locations in 7 states, and supplies customer orders for weddings, corporate events and fundraisers. 

8 Brookhaven Rd., Brookhaven.

 

 

Oh Ryan’s Irish Potatoes might look convincingly like tiny taters, but they’re actually an irresistible, soft coconut cream center rolled in cinnamon. David and Laurel Lamparelli launched this Delco sensation in 1989, naming it after their other son, Ryan. Though locals may crave them year-round, Irish Potatoes are only available seasonally, from January through March. The factory is in Marcus Hook and is not open to the public, but you can find them in well-stocked grocers and markets, or order directly from Christopher Chocolates (see listing above).

168 E. Ridge Rd., Marcus Hook; (610) 494-7123.

 

 

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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA. They say we’re A LOT…and they’re right! Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email or online.

– Emily Kovach

 

Featured photo courtesy of Bevan’s Own Make Candy