There is no shortage of places to satisfy your sweet tooth in Oak Park and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking for retro candy bars, fruity or sour candy or decadent chocolates, these shops will provide plenty of tempting opportunities to feel like a kid in one of the best candy stores, no matter what your age.
Who knew there were so many kinds of fudge? You’ll find them all and more at Aunt Diana's, which has been part of the Riverside community for more than four decades. Grab some house-made caramel apples, ice cream or popcorn and definitely pick up some candy. Aunt Diana's sells bulk and by-the-piece candy, from hard candy to lollipops to saltwater taffy. The shop is decked out for every holiday and sells stunning, handcrafted seasonal sweets, including Easter treats, high-heeled chocolate pumps for Mother’s Day and chocolate Christmas trees. Aunt Diana’s is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Candycopia has brought a new kind of sweet shop experience to Oak Park. The store, owned by Oak Park couple Alycia and Patrick Mason, stocks hundreds of different types of gummies, bulk candies, international delights, retro favs and unique candy made by diverse-owned, local candymakers. Diehard candy fans from near and far come to experience the Swedish pick-'n-mix bar, the only one in the Midwest, or Candycopia's candy bar for candy-forward ice cream concoctions, dirty sodas and candy flights. Candycopia is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturdays, it's open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can shop on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Follow them at @candycopia on social media to see the newest candy arrivals.
Ferrara Candy Company has been making iconic sweets in the Chicago area since 1908 and is still busy as ever. The factory cranks out 2 million of its iconic Lemonheads a day! Take your tastebuds down memory lane by visiting the factory's adjacent outlet store, where you can stock up on the pucker-inducing sweets, plus other long-standing best sellers, including Boston Baked Beans, Red Hots, Nerds, Fun Dip and Pixy Stix. Ferrara Pan is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Fill My Jar owner Annette Pardun makes small-batch candies, then packages them in beautiful jars, baskets and boxes, providing an extra dose of sweetness to the delicious goodies. Selections include English toffee, hand-cut caramels and a selection of handcrafted specialty barks in such flavors as dark chocolate Mexican mole, coffee crunch and cherry amaretto almond. Fill My Jar also offers special seasonal treats, as well as custom orders for events and corporate gifts that include a sampling of several of the sophisticated, eye-catching treats. Check out Fill My Jar, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
La Maison de Bonbon has been a must-visit for the sophisticated sweet tooth since 1921, when the Frederick Steger family opened this Forest Park favorite, introducing old-world recipes to the community. This adorable candy shop specializes in small-batch orders of its signature original French crèmes, among other decadent salted caramels. The store is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Lilett, established is well-known for its delicious confections! With the shop's welcoming pink-and-green striped awning, candy lovers are beckoned inside, where rows of Lilett's famous English toffee, chocolates and other treats sit behind the glass display counters. We love Lilett's fudge balls, pecan patties, nonpareils and caramel apples. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5;30 p.m., and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The long-standing La Grange corner penny candy store known as Hank’s was reopened as My Grampa's Store in the 1990s, and has been selling candy, chocolate bars, custom cakes and cookies, ice cream, slushies and deli items ever since. Open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p. m., as well as on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sweet dreams come to life at this charming shop that’s been satisfying candy cravings since 2011. Known for its signature English toffee and caramels, River Forest Chocolates has no shortage of other tempting confections, including sophisticated truffles and buttercreams, as well as hand-dipped ice cream bars, caramel apples and vegan chocolates. River Forest Chocolates is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.