Picked up some small items as gifts. Fudge and chocolates tasted great! The service was fantastic as well.

Mehhhh. Very cute store. Very friendly people, but the candy is subpar. The white almond bark is good, but the others just aren't worth the calories. read more

Nichols Candies - Candy Stores Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

recently went and saw that the nuts are definitely NOT freshly roasted at all. Misleading sign, what a disappointment. Maple candies tasted rancid. Strawberry candy was NOT good just too damn sweet Orange peel was TERRIBLE, extremely bitter and not in a good way at all Choc cherries were $50 per pound and had white film on them that was an indication of being too old or improperly stored $50 per pound for trash, they didn't taste good or home made just NO!!! Chocolates had white old film on them, I can not believe they charge high prices for this, go to Newburyport instead. Much better quality and much better service. Not friendly at all My friend was trying to get candy at 5 min of 3pm and the store was closing at 3 so she was not allowed to get any candy. Unbelievable. Awful customer service and the lines at holidays forget it, don't bother, just get it anywhere else even Market Basket read more

These are the VERy best chocolates in the world!! I have gone there for 60+ years, have had chocolates from Belgium, Switzerland, and any other place you can imagine, but THESE are the best!! read more

My review is not so much about the candy. I've been coming here since I was a little kid. I'm now in my 50s. Ever since I remember, it's been the same owner, who is set in her ways and can be very unfriendly, uncaring, and inhumane in this case... I drive a long way to get there and spend way too much money there to be told I cannot use the restroom when it's an urgent emergency. There is nothing near this place, and was told to drive up the highway to the supermarket and use the bathroom there. The candy is fantastic, but I don't appreciate this treatment of regular customers. So I bought my candy, went outside, and took a crap on her lawn. See if I come back anytime soon. read more

Charming store with absolutely delectable candy. I live in Tennessee and get their bark and ginger chocolates shipped to me.

I never knew you could screw up candy so badly, but this place is entirely skippable. It's 91 years old, and all the candy tastes like it's been aging that entire time. Dried out mint, crumbly chocolate, dusty coconut...etc. Also very awkward having the sales staff have to follow you around and put candy in a box for you. Everything is displayed on open plates loosely covered by plastic, which is probably why it's all dried out. read more

Saw this store while driving from Boston to Rockport. Of course we had to stop in. 2 sweet order women were running the store. Everything is homemade except the taffy. You pay by the pound. Everything from fudge to mint cups to chocolate desserts. This is family owned and has been in business for 85 years! How cool! Great selection! read more

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If you notice this store on your way up to or back from Gloucester or Rockport, do not pass it up. Personalized service -- the lady who owns the store will follow you around as you point out the candy you want -- and a great variety of candies. I love (what I call) the flat mints. Peppermint, wintergreen, and cinnamon. This store is worth the trip. read more

This is a cute candy shop off the side of the highway. Two very friendly staff asked if I needed help but left me to wander until I figured out what I wanted. I admit, it was hard to decide as there were so many delicious looking options... Fruit cremes, nut clusters, brittles...if you like it and it's candy, I bet they will have it for you. Worth a stop in for your sugar fix! read more

I have been a customer at Nichols for over 45 years. The candy is delicious, the customer service is horrible, and always has been. The same crew has been working there for a long time and they are unfriendly and at times rude. I shopped in the store yesterday, and wanted to get several half pounds of candy in the half pound 'fudge box' instead of the half pound 'candy box'. The 'fudge box' is deeper and shorter and for my purposes will look better when wrapped. I offered to pay the .90 cent surcharge multiple times. I was told repeatedly and rudely 'NO'. No explanation, just 'NO'. A box is a box and the candy is rather expensive. Since I did not want the 'candy box' (due to shape of box) and wanted the 'fudge box' size, not sure what the problem was, since I was just switching out the box, still purchasing the same amount of candy.. I pushed, and reminded them that I am happy to pay the extra .90 cents to compensate for the box. They continued to just say NO, one worker even yelled NO across the selling floor...again with no explaination. I paused, contemplated just walking out..finally I replied that that was not good customer service. They eventually agreed to switch out the box , reminding me that I would have to pay an extra .90 cents..(already offered to pay the surcharge multiple times). I felt like I was being scolded, and I was! Other customers were in the store and I was made to feel uncomfortable and unwanted. Again, I have always felt that the ladies that work there and have worked there a very long time, need to realize that customer service is important. I am a big fan of NIcloles, grew up on the north shore and visit the store about 20-25 times each year. Even during the pandemic, when you had to call your order in and they would deliver to your car in the parking lot. My grown children and their families are also a big fan of Nichols. The candy is delicious and during the week they have a window that you can view the candy being made in the back room. That being said, I wish that the ladies who work there were nicer to the customers. A little kindness would only enhance a visit to the beautiful store. read more

Stopped in today on our trip to Gloucester... The woman working there was soo cute, she walked around the store & boxed all the little candies we picked out... The place smelled soo wonderful!! Tons of Chocolate covered everythings, and I LOVE that they had Dark on several things in addition to Milk (I tend to love Dark)... Got several little goodies... Bummed they didnt have more non Chocolates (I have an obsession with Jelly Beans... Will def stop back in on our next trip up! And on the way out we even got directions! She was soo cute I wanted to hug her! read more

Such a pretty old house, and there's CHOCOLATE inside! Staff were super nice and knowledgeable. We had lots of fun browsing, and everything we've eaten so far has been delicious! read more

This place is a little tradition of mine. Once a year I make a trip to this little Candy House. They are like most typical Private Candy Houses. Houses that look to be over hundred years old enclose a room full of chocolate delights. There is such a house back in NJ where I grew up. In fond memory of that store, I make the brisk trip to Nichols to get my once a year chocolate for my baby. And everytime I go, I get the chocolate covered strawberries, tofee chocoloates, honeycomb chocolates, and a few more items. My baby loves chocolate lollipops shaped as bear heads. She says it's convenient for her to chew on a likeness of me in anger than being really angry at me..... the things I do for love~ one note: there is a 10 dollar minimum for credit card purchases. read more

I haven't been to a candy shop since I was a child on Martha's Vineyard. We took a trip to Gloucester and had to go back! To my amazement every candy is hand made, even the sour patch kids! I was like of course they just package store or factory sour patch kids, but nope they use real ingredients. Everything looked so delicious ! I was tempted by the chocolate covered cherries. 100% impressed and excited this is so close to my home. The reason I'm giving 4 stars is because it is a bit pricey, but I understand it is because of the hand made factor. Overall great place!!! read more

Been going for years ... the only caveat I have is that it is expensive ... sold by the pound, it works out to slightly more than a $1 a piece. Also the ladies somehow are the most non-customer friendly you could find ... not mean but, you'd never think to have them customer facing read more

Chocolate heaven......Really....everything chocolate...stacks and stacks of it. I have been to Gloucester twice now and have driven by this candy shop over and over again and I finally convinced my boyfriend to stop. The first thing you smell is chocolate, the first thing you see is tables of chocolate and the first thing I did was drool. At Nichols they make everything. They have a small room where they have the machines to create this amazing homemade candy. The lovely women who seemed to be the owners were great, very welcoming. You are not aloud to go and pick up the candy with your hands yourself, the ladies will grab a bag and take you around each table for you to choose your selection. That is the only thing I didnt like, I wanted to grab what I wanted and not have some one follow me. But the chocolate was amazing and if I ever make a trip back I am stopping again and leaving with more then three bags. The chocolate was incredible, best I have ever had!!!! So many different kinds....chocolate covered nuts, berries, mints, coconut.....amazing!!!! read more

Nichols Candies - Chocolate galore!! - Candy Stores Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Ay, ok, I'm not rating this based on "everything about a candy store" because I can walk into most decent candy stores and be perfectly happy getting some chocolate, cashew turtle type thing. I mean, I'm just not that discerning when it comes to candy stores. HOWEVER, the reason I really enjoy Nichols is because of the Walnut Whip. As another reviewer remarked, the store is a bit pricey but I still plunk down the $18 for a pound of it. The problem is that, unlike whenever I've gotten fudge, the Walnut Whip doesn't stand a chance if I open it around other people. I can open fudge or anything else around people and they can get their chocolate/sugar fix within a piece or two, but Walnut Whip is so fluffy and lite (appropriate referred to as a "Meltaway"), that after I've already shared 1-2 pieces with people, they're still coming back for a 3rd and 4th. It's so good it doesn't last! Now, I don't know if Marzipan is really that much different from store to store but I really dig it at Nichols. They also have a lot of other stuff, too, so there's never a dull moment. I just think you should check the website for the prices first.... $18 for a pound of walnut whip... that's more than it costs for an ounce of SILVER! read more

Solid-chocolate elephants with their names written on little Post-Its; white chocolate crosses at Easter; a huge sign that says "CANDY HOUSE" on the roof. A fantastic place. Just don't touch any of the chocolates yourself, or you'll get in big trouble with the little old ladies who work there. read more

Holy cow this place is great. It's MASSIVE and everything except the taffy and gummy candy is made in house. A very sweet woman gave me some tips, then, when I was ready with my selections, she followed me around as I pointed to everything I wanted and she pulled it together for me. I would recommend the mints and turtles- yum! read more

Nichols Candies - Couldn't wait to take a picture before I tried a piece! - Candy Stores Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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I was really hoping to get some chocolate pretzels but for some reason they didn't have any at the time. Instead I got some toffee, fudge and coconut stuff, all delicious. read more

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A sweet little stop on the ride home. Pun totally intended. As you step in the door you can see where all the goodies are made to the left of the entrance through the window. If you take a look at the signs hanging from the ceiling, all the tables are organized by candy type (chewy, crunchy, cream filled, etc) but don't let the sheer volume of chocolates intimidate you. The ladies working here will gladly give you the grand tour and provide suggestions based on their own quality testing ;) Lucky ducks. It isn't the cheapest place to get your goods, but everything I've tasted is quality and I'll definitely go back for more. read more

Uh oh. I have resisted going in for years but finally stopped. Cute, cute, cute little building. It's not as cute on the inside as it is on the outside. It's a little... dingy?... on the inside. The lighting is weird. But hey, that's ok guys, your candy is amazing. I filled a box and got a nice assortment of dark/milk chocolate with insides ranging from caramel to fruit creams. Some of my favorites: Dark chocolate covered marshmallow D. choc salted caramel (YUM. Yum yum yum) D. choc cashew clusters The woman working was super nice, helpful, and very patient with me as I tried to make up my mind. Going to try the salt water taffy next time. read more

On Friday, Sep 3rd, I ordered a box of soft centered assorted chocolates. They were sent to Connecticut as a gift. On Wednesday the 8th, I received a call that the candy arrived. However the pieces were melted and all stuck together. The next morning I called the owner (Barbara) and she could not have cared less. She blamed the post office and made no attempt to be helpful. Her attitude was very unfriendly and basically she said it was not her problem. Normally you would expect that they would have tried to please the customer. I paid $26.20 for a box of melted candy. I think if the candy was properly packed it would not have melted. Live and learn. I will never order from them again. read more

Expensive and unfriendly service. Candy is decent but you can buy same quality elsewhere for half the price. I asked for gift wrapping and was told I need to spend at least $15.00 to get my box of candy wrapped. My total was $16.50 after I pointed that out the woman grudgingly wrapped my box with a sour face. She only put the little gold elastic on it after I pointed out she forgot it. On another day I had friendlier service, but they really don't seem to care about the customers or give you a reason to come back. read more

Delicious, delicious locally made candies and chocolate. I've had Nichol's candies throughout my life but had only actually visited the store recently, and it was really cool. You go around with one of the clerks to all the different candy tables, point to the items you want and tell them how many and they arrange them in a box for you right there. I can't even imagine how busy it gets during Valentine's Day, Christmas, and Easter. And it's right off the highway as you're coming into Gloucester, so it's almost a little too easy to make a stop. All kinds of traditional homemade candies with a factory right there where you can watch them being made. They're expensive, but completely worth the price. read more

There are a few things I took for granted while I was growing up in Gloucester and not (thanks Mom) being exposed to much else. That's Nichols Candies -- a teeny, tiny multi-generation family chocolatier located on the marsh along Route 128 -- is among the finest purveyors of fine candies anywhere is such a thing. It's all rave, friends. The staff is incredibly friendly, patient and knowledgeable. They genuinely enjoy, I've always sensed, what they do. Each morsel is more delicious than the next. Until you get to the Walnut Whip, whereupon it doesn't get any better. I can honestly say that Belgium ain't got nothin' on Nichols. If there's any knock, it's that parking is limited and the quaint shop can get awfully crowded, especially when candy-centric holidays (Valentine's, Easter, etc.) approach. read more

AVOID THIS SCAMMING MERCHANT! They charged me $12.75 shipping for Christmas candy. They called me 1/7 to tell me candy was not delivered. They refuse to refund my money. They told me to come to their store to pick up candy. Caller was extremely rude and aggressive. I hope they enjoy small claims court. 1 star because zero is not available. read more

A family favorite, this place is old school. You order by the pound. One of the workers grabs a little white box and follows you around as you point at what you want and she fills your box. It's all homemade and really delicious. I love the dipped mints (particularly the pink ones!), the turtles, the fudge, and the chocolate Easter Eggs. They have filled candies, caramels, nut clusters... all kinds of delicious stuff! They have homemade marshmallows, brittle, really anything you could dream up. They also have some sugar free items. You can tell this stuff is made with love. read more

Nichols has been in business all of my life, my parents' lives, and most of my grandparents' lives. With all those years of experience, you know they know what they're doing. Nichols hand-makes every variety of chocolate confection you can imagine, plus plenty of non-chocolate offerings for those crazy people who aren't chocolate fans. Every variety is laid before you on tables and shelves and pedestals. With assistance from one of the friendly chocolate mavens who work there, you can make your way through the maze of goodies picking and choosing what you want in your custom quarter-, half-, one-, or two-pound box. There's also a very good sugar-free section for anyone watching their waists or blood sugar. It really is the place to shop for Valentine's day. They have a good variety of fancy, heart-shaped boxes in various sizes and levels of frilly-ness. A word of warning, however. Nichol's gets very busy around the holidays. You may have to wait a good 10 minutes before a storekeeper is available to help you with your custom mixes. When it's packed, there's usually a place to take a number to be sure that everyone is served in the order they arrived. read more

These people are great. Was on west coast and placed a mail order. There was a snafu with one of the candies. It required an extra transaction to get a refund and being on vacation, I was too lazy. Dropped by the store 9 months later and asked about it. They opened an index card file (I'm old enough to recognize it) and there was my paperwork, all by itself. Applied the refund to more candies, especially their plain vanilla caramels. Great customer service to match their great candies. Mac read more

Great old timey candy house. The person helping me was so kind and helpful. The box was gone pretty quikly after gifting it to my family. Reminds me of Mrs. Nelson's candy house in Chelmsford, MA read more

Dear Nichols; I thought I ordered your family style assortment for nine family members and you sent me different candy. I didn't open it until New Year's Day and was so disappointed!! I was expecting the delicious hand rolled candy that I ordered for all my family and got candy that was definitely inferior. What happened to my nine boxes of hand rolled candy?? My family and I are so disappointed and we've had your candy for years!!! Sincerely, Carole and Charles Smith read more

I used to go by and get their fudge from time to time and it rarely made it out of the parking lot. I have been having a pound delivered once or twice a year for the past 10 years or so since I have been back in California and it is always a huge hit when I bring it around my friends in CA. I always tell people that if I could paint heaven exactly as I wanted Nichols Candies is definitely there. For me Nichols is one of the best things on the planet...its that good. read more

Get the cashew clusters!!!! Best candy i ever had in my life. Only one problem, I almost ate the whole box!!!!!

Smells like chocolate heaven as you walk in, the staff is really nice. Kaitlin M. did a great job of describing the scene here, popular place as it fills up quickly..chocolates just melt in your mouth..delicious! read more

I've loved Nichols Candies all my life. There Dark chocolate is very wonderful and truffles are to die for. HOWEVER, the service is terrible. Yesterday I went to the candy house and the women was not patient at all. She was not willing to answer any questions at all. We where looking for a certain kind of candy, the women looked at me like I had 3 heads. At the end of my checkout, I saw the candies in a little basket. I ask to add them to my order but it was "too late" the women continued to lecture us about how there was no vanilla in a "vanilla Carmel" as we where leaving the women says, "mother of god" to the next person in line. read more

Great chocolate, not a store for kids. Very old fashioned

today we went during the times it was posted to be open, it was CLOSED. No sign, no warning or explanation. Very disappointed.

First of all, the staff is wonderful! Very friendly & attentive, but good in letting you wander while you make your final decisions. And for the chocolate, melt in your mouth deliciousness! My girlfriend and I were driving home (to Watertown) from the beach when we stopped in to satisfy our sweet tooth. This place definitely did the trick... the only downside is that it's almost an hour from our home!!! Nevertheless, we will definitely be making the trips up for a fun day trip and special treat... this place is worth it! read more