The Candyman Can

We got an inside peek as to how they make the yummy chocolates!

Blackberry truffles, creamy chocolate-covered caramels, and hand-dipped peppermint patties the size of your fist. Could a place so heavenly exist on earth? It does, and it's right here at the Candyman, in Wilmington, New York.

This world famous chocolate shop is a routine stop for many local folks and visitors alike. “When people walk in for the first time, one of the most common expressions that we hear is ‘I wish I could bottle the air,’” says Kylah Brewer, a weekend salesperson and candy packager. "We certainly have our regulars too," says Brewer. From hot coffee, to chocolate covered espresso beans, this place is bound to perk your senses.

The Candyman, which used to be located on Route 9 in Jay, has since moved to its new location in Wilmington. “Business has been excellent, and sales are double from Jay,” says part owner, Joe Dougherty. “There is a better traffic flow here, and more is going on in Wilmington.” The new location is much larger and they are able to sell more merchandise in addition to all of the mouthwatering candy. Birch bark furniture and woodcarvings made by local artisans are a few of the new hot-selling items.

“When people walk in for the first time, one of the most common expressions that we hear is ‘I wish I could bottle the air.’”

“People come from all over the place [to buy the chocolates], and we ship orders all over the world,” says Brewer. During the various seasons, the folks at the Candyman ship approximately 5,000 mail orders out from their store. "July and August is our busiest time of the year," says Dougherty. Though shipping can be difficult with the heat during the summer, they seem to make up for it with an abundance of traffic to the store. They also promise to hold orders and ship them when the weather cools down.

Guests can also come Monday through Thursday and actually watch the chocolates being made through a big window that overlooks the production room. The Candyman uses three tempering kettles to melt down the chocolate and keep it at a consistent temperature for production—one for milk, dark, and ivory chocolate respectfully. Just about every type of chocolate that they have is made in both milk and dark chocolate, and sometimes ivory. "We make over 100 different kinds of chocolates," says production manager, Robin Osborne. "There is something for everyone."

Some of the most popular candies are the dutch mints, chocolate caramels, peanut butter cups, chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint patties, wintergreen patties, and coconut patties. "Our new truffles are my favorite," says Dougherty. The truffles are especially delicious—as I taste tested a few—in such flavors as Orange Grand Marnier, Blackberry, Bailey's Irish Cream, and Ammaretto—all made with the finest liquor, surrounded with a creamy dark chocolate coating. The fudge, also popular, is prepared in large copper kettles over an open flame. "My favorite time to work is when the kitchen crew is making maple walnut fudge," says Brewer, "the whole store smells so good."

"Right now we are getting ready for Easter," says Osborne, "and we'll be making the three-foot milk chocolate Easter bunny." When you visit the Wilmington store, you can enter your name into the free raffle and take a chance at winning the bunny. Or, if you would like to purchase such a delightful hunk of chocolate, the 15-pound bunny goes for about $150. Other Easter favorites are the coconut eggs, peanut butter eggs, chocolate covered marshmallow Peeps, and of course, the chocolate bunnies.

On my way out, I asked the ladies in the production room if they ever get sick of chocolate. Mrs. Osborne turned to me with a big smile and replied, "once you have a taste of heaven, you'll never stop loving it. My job is sweet."

The Candyman in Wilmington is one of two stores. The other is located on Main Street in Lake Placid. They make the candies in Wilmington and then send them over to the other store. The Lake Placid store is open 10-6 Monday through Thursday, and 10-9 on Friday and Saturday. The Wilmington store is open 9-6 seven days a week.

Tasted this sweet spot before? Drop us a line!