12 NJ Candy Stores To Visit Before Halloween

NEW JERSEY - Who says that trick or treating has to be just for the kids, or consist solely of box-store candy when the Garden State already touts plenty of confectionaries featuring freshly baked cakes, homemade candies, artisan chocolates and more to discover. Whether it's a fresh hot chocolate bomb or a smashable candy pumpkin, scores of local storefronts around New Jersey are ready to level up your sugary experience.

If you're looking to start a new October tradition this year, find old classic candies or taste novel specialties, here are just some of the unique candy shops that the Garden State has to offer:

1. Lepore’s Candy, Hoboken

Among the gems that can be found on Hoboken's side streets — just off the main drag — is Lepore's Chocolates, a shop that's been nestled in the center of the mile-square city since 1980. The fresh candy is so good that Frank Sinatra used to send a limousine to pick up chocolate covered apricots.

The chocolates are made daily at the shop, and they can also customize chocolates, gift baskets, towers, and "occasion flavors." But it’s not just Sinatra who's sung their praises. The owners count Peggy Lee, Rita Moreno, and Ruta Lee as satisfied customers. Read more: Chocolates Fit For Sinatra: Lepore's Candy In Hoboken Turns 41

2. Tonnie’s Minis, Newark

Known for its cupcakes and cakes as well as new plant-based additions, Tonnie’s Minis on Halsey Street in Newark touts four and a half stars on Yelp and word-of-mouth praises from scores of locals - including Newark’s own Sen. Cory Booker.

In fact, last week, Vice President Kamala Harris stopped at Tonnie’s during a New Jersey trip on Booker’s recommendation: "In Newark, I always go where Sen. Booker recommends," Harris quips in a video shared to the shop's Instagram page. Read more: Have You Tried This Newark Bakery? Kamala Harris Has

3. Meyer’s House Of Sweets, Wycoff

Perhaps most impressive offering at Wycoff's cozy Meyer' House of Sweets is the vast array of chocolate shapes, which include a tombstone, chocolate pumpkin scarecrow, chocolate ghost, and an etching of the word "Boo" in, you guessed it, chocolate.

The store also offers locally made candy corn and candy apples. And for those pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice inclined, the Meyer's also offers pumpkin pie fudge. Read more: Meyer's House Of Sweets Calms Craving For Local Halloween Treats

4. Candyland Crafts, Raritan

One favorite family-friendly craft at the Raritan-based Candyland Crafts is the chocolate pops which take only minutes to complete. Get a bag of melting chocolate, put it in the microwave for one minute, pour into a mold and then let sit in the freezer for five minutes to cool.
"It's really simple and a great activity for kids," said owner Barry Krinsky.

The shop also offers cakes, smash hearts, cake pops, cocoa bombs, chocolate bars, chocolate-covered Oreos, cookies and more. All of the items are available to purchase ready-made or supplies are available to make them yourself. Read more: Candyland Crafts Is Satisfying Sweet Cravings For 35 Years

5. Enjou Chocolat, Morristown

Enjou Chocolat has more than 50,000 molds, but they tend to create delicacies in small batches. Owner Wendy Taffet began Tuesday making chocolate-caramel apples for Halloween. They only make 10 or 12 per day, unless there's a large order. But it's the meticulous care and freshness of each product that has made the chocolate shop a staple of Morristown since 1983, Taffet says.

And for Halloween specialties? Chocolate spiders, chocolate brains, chocolate witch's shoes with truffles inside and even chocolate puzzles kids can assemble. Read more: From Pharmacy To Morristown Delicacies: A Chocolatier's Journey

6. The Chocolate Shoppe, Long Valley

The Chocolate Shoppe of Long Valley, one of the region's locally and family-owned chocolatiers and candy creators, has specialized in handcrafted and decadent creations since the family who runs it opened in 2005, with mouthwatering and eye-appealing treats for every season and customized for all special occasions.

For Halloween, there are extra-special, unique treats that they make, including centerpieces. One of them is a massive, haunted house weighing over three pounds, said Oldmixon. Caramel and chocolate-dipped apples, Halloween-themed hot chocolate bombs, homemade chocolate and peanut butter creations, witches with caramel cauldrons and chocolate, smashable, filled pumpkins are among the delicious items. Read more: Long Valley's Chocolate Shoppe, A Handcrafted Treats Destination

7. Haven's Sweet Shop, Point Pleasant Beach

According to owner Michael Langsner who opened Haven's Sweet Shop in 2020, candy shops don't do as well during the Halloween season because most people are buying giant bags of candy from big box stores. However, this year, Haven is offering all different types of fall treats that people with a fall-themed sweet tooth will enjoy.

"Some of the things that we are doing in the shop now for the fall season is pumpkin fudge, which is a very popular item, pumpkin-flavored ice cream, and now that we are getting into the cooler months, hot chocolate bombs are becoming more popular," Langsner told Patch. Haven's also offers homemade fudges, chocolate-covered pretzels, over 30 types of ice cream, and more. Read more: Point Beach Sweet Shop A 'Haven' For Fall Treats For The Family

8. Chocolate Village, Hazlet

For just over three decades, the Chocolate Village of Hazlet has been supplying the Bayshore area with sweets - and with Halloween coming up, they've got lots to offer. If you're in the mood for some spooky treats like tombstone Vienna fingers, they've got them. If you want to pick up a boo bag, theirs comes complete with a cheery Halloween poem.

And if you're someone who would rather spend a weekend afternoon making your own customized treats at home, you can also stop by and pick up some candy-making supplies, including a variety of molds and candy decorations. Read more: Chocolate Village Of Hazlet Has Treats, Boo Bags For Halloween

9. Candy Buffet, Haddonfield

Don't underestimate this quaint bin-style storefront on Kings Highway. Candy Buffet in Haddonfield boasts a dense selection of curated traditional candies and chocolates for every palette. With offerings from childhood favorites to contemporary and seasonal treats, visitors can enjoy everything from sea salt caramels, jelly rings and giant lollipops to hard-to-find items. Read more: Check Out Haddonfield's Candy Buffet This Halloween

10. Van Holten's Chocolates, Brick

When you set foot inside the door at Van Holten's Chocolates on Route 88, you're greeted by the sight of every possible permutation of chocolate: Chocolate rum balls. Chocolate lollipops. Chocolate-covered pretzels and nuts. At the back, there's a fudge counter, with the price per pound on a sign hanging overhead. Chocolates have been the store's signature offering for more than 100 years, back to when Robert Meyer's grandfather and great uncle started selling homemade candy from their luncheonette in Jersey City in 1904. Read more: Brick Candy Store Blends New Trends With Sweet Memories

11. Jilly’s Candy Factory, Ocean City

Whether you're searching for salt water taffy or a box of homemade fudge, there's certainly no shortage of candy stores to choose from on the Ocean City Boardwalk — even in the off-season. Jilly's Candy Factory is among the stores that serves sweets all year-round, and around Halloween, fall-themed treats line the store's shelves.

"Our biggest staple item that we're probably most known for is our candy apples," said co-owner Jody Levchuk. The store offers customized caramel and candy apples in packages of six. The sweet Granny Smith apples can be dressed up even more with chocolate, nuts, sprinkles or candy.

"There's so many things you can do with it and that's the best part of it. If someone wants orange caramel apples with spider web looking things on it, we'll do it," Levchuk said. Read more: Jilly's Candy Factory Puts Spooky Spin On Boardwalk Treats

12. David Bradley Chocolatier, Windsor

Tucked away in the industrial park in Robbinsville is David Bradley Chocolatier – a store that has been creating scrumptious chocolates and candies for the past 30 years. This Halloween, they're offering some spooky and delicious treats.

"The most popular offering this year is the 'Boo Boo Bomb' — a cocoa bomb filled with cocoa and mini marshmallows that you drop into a cup of hot milk," said owner Christine O'Brian. "What you then get is a cup of delicious hot chocolate. They come in ghost shapes and it's a lot of fun."
Another exciting treat offered this year is the Halloween Smash Box. Spooky mini cupcakes are sold with a hammer. When smashed, they reveal goodies inside — mini pretzels and nonpareils. There are also ghost pops, spider web pops, chocolate witch, and more.

The family-run business has been around in Mercer County for 30 years. And the fun part is patrons can visit the chocolate factory. Read more: This Mercer Co. Store Is Churning Out Spooky Treats For Halloween

Did we miss your favorite hometown candy store? Let us know in the comments below or by emailing nicole.rosenthal@patch.com.

With reporting by Caren Lissner, Eric Kiefer, Montana Samuels, Alexis Tarazzi, Kimberlee Bongard, Brian Harris, Catarina Moura, Karen Wall, Jennifer Jean Miller, Josh Bakan, Anthony Bellano and Sarah Salvadore.