For Mother's Day, graduation or just because, here are 10 Milwaukee area candy shops to try
Whether it's old-fashioned chocolate, a shop with nostalgic treats or a place that sells a variety of sweets, who can't help but get cheered up by some candy?
There are many quaint shops in the Milwaukee suburbs that are locally-owned and unique. Whether it's for Mother's Day, graduation or a gift for a special teacher during Teacher's Appreciation Week (May 7 to 13), a sweet treat can make a great gift.
Not to mention April 22 is National Jelly Bean Day, April 27 is National Gummy Bear Day and May 23 is National Taffy Day.
Or why not have a special treat anyway?
Here are a 10 candy shops in the Milwaukee suburbs to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Check with the individual businesses for further updates, changes in hours, reservation deadlines or more unique specials.
Half Nuts in West Allis
Half Nuts, a longtime business in downtown West Allis, features nuts, nostalgic candy, snack mixes and chocolate. According to its website, the store features "Necco wafers, Indian pumpkin seeds and candy cigarettes, Wax lips, Chuckles and BB Bats."
Half Nuts is currently selling the Ziegler Giant Bar to pay tribute to the legacy of Ziegler Candy Company of Milwaukee, which closed in 1977. The bar is chocolate with roasted whole peanuts.
Location: 9617 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
For more information: Visit www.halfnuts.net
Freese's Candy Shoppe & Heavenly Roasted Nuts in West Allis
Family-owned since 1928, Freese's Candy Shoppe & Heavenly Roasted Nuts features hand-dipped chocolates, where the recipes have been handed down for generations. Its nuts of cashews, pecans and almonds have a blend of cinnamon and sugar coating.
Location: 7312 W. Greenfield in West Allis
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday
For more information: Visit www.freesescandy.com
Candyman on Main Street in West Bend
Candyman on Main Street in West Bend offers a variety of chocolate, truffles, unique and old-fashioned candy. Soon for the spring and the summer, they will have their Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream open.
Despite the reconstruction on Main Street preventing parking in front of the shop, there is plenty of parking on side streets, the sidewalks are open and the shop will be open during this time.
Location: 121 N. Main St., West Bend
Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday
For more information: Visit www.facebook.com/candymanonmain
More: Main Street in downtown West Bend is closed due to construction. Here's what you need to know.
Sweet P's Pantry in Oconomowoc
Sweet P's Pantry in Oconomowoc features handmade and homemade candy-making such as its award-winning toffee. It features a lot of chocolate treats.
For spring, this shop features brandy old-fashioned creams, chocolate-covered candied citrus peels and bourbon balls.
Location: 169 E. Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday
For more information: Visit https://sweetpspantry.com
Chocolate Falls in Menomonee Falls
Chocolate Falls in Menomonee Falls features "hand done truffles, chocolate dipped pretzels, and many more sweets." They run many different specials and treats for the holidays and for special events.
A unique item now is hand-dipped, chocolate-covered orange peels.
Location: N88 W16748 Main St., Menomonee Falls
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday
For more information: Visit www.facebook.com/chocolatefalls.wi
E and S Sweets in Mukwonago
E and S Sweets in Mukwonago features many nostalgic candies such as Razzles, Candy Buttons and Unicorn Pops.
E and S also makes freeze-dried candy such as freeze-dried marshmallow charms, freeze-dried ice cream sandwich bites and freeze-dried fruity bites.
Location: 211 N. Rochester St., Mukwonago
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday
For more information: Visit https://eandssweets.com.
Cocoa Tree Confectionery in Mequon
Cocoa Tree Confectionery in Mequon boasts homemade candy by using quality ingredients, such as chocolate by the Belgian-Swiss cocoa processor and chocolate manufacturer, Barry Callebaut, purées and fresh fruit from local farmers markets, and butter, cream and milk from local Wisconsin dairy farms.
They can make creative holiday-themed chocolate or customized treats such as Oreo and chocolate filled paws for a charity event.
Location: 1330 West Mequon Road, Mequon
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
For more information: Visit https://cocoa-tree.com
Amy's Candy Kitchen in Cedarburg
Amy's Candy Kitchen in Cedarburg has handmade chocolate and fudge products and finds creative ways to make its treats.
For Mother's Day or to gift a favorite person, there are dunked caramel apple with dark Belgian chocolate and candy flowers, and even patriotic caramel apples when it is near the 4th of July.
Location: W62 N579 Washington Ave., CedarburgHours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information: Visit https://www.amysgourmetapples.com
ALLÔ! CHOCOLAT in Waukesha
ALLÔ! CHOCOLAT in downtown Waukesha features hand-crafted chocolate, nostalgic candy and Chocolate Shoppe ice cream. The shop also has chocolate-covered fresh fruit, hand-painted artisan truffles and hot cocoa bombs.
One of its newest items is the chunky bark, with milk or dark chocolate with peanuts and raisins.
Location: 234 West Main St., Waukesha
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday
For more information: Visit https://allochocolat.com
Apples of Eden in Greendale
Apples of Eden in Greendale makes its chocolate items on site and in small batches. Items include chocolate covered caramel apples and chocolate covered strawberries.
This shop also has fine tea, unique gifts, greeting cards and nostalgic candies.
Location: 5612 Broad St., Greendale
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
For more information: Visit www.applesofeden.com
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Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 10 locally-owned candy shops to check out in the Milwaukee suburbs
