A must do touristic activity for those visiting beautiful Mclaren Vale for the day, or weekend. A…read moreveritable treasure trove for the sweet tooth is the Menz... or fruchoc factory, as it is colloquially known. If you've read any of my other reviews it's probably clear that I'm far more interested in wine than sweets, but without fail I am cajoled into visiting by well meaning friends each time I'm down in the Vale. Big bags of all the goodies made by the company are available and you can pick up factory seconds at bargain basement prices. Menz make the iconic South Australian confectionary 'fru-chocs', a processed apricot centre, covered in chocolate, resulting in a ball slightly larger than a malteser. They are also known for the medlow gums which mums and nannas tend to be fond of - they are undeniably delicious. I like it when they're making stuff in the adjoining work room and you can watch them cutting sweets or spinning fruchocs in the lolly cement mixer thingy. The shop is super easy to find, as it's on the main street, it also has an attached carpark for added convenience.

29/12/2011 5 photos This shop deserves more of a woohoo! I…read morewas more like, "O...M...G! I feel a heart attack coming through right about....now!!" This was the first time I saw this unnoticeable shop front, and as soon as I walked in, I had to slowly take one step at a time up the tiny stairs because I was surrounded by the widest and best range of candy I have ever seen since my little boy years @ The annual Royal Adelaide Show. I'm officially not diabetic (I have been tested), but I do suffer from blood sugar levels that skyrocket after any meals that contains sugar, then suddenly go down to normal within a few hours. This store is very very dangerous for someone like me who loves the occasional glucose kick up the butt. Three important words to keep in mind when entering this store: Must...control...thyself. But walking into Blackeby's and meeting the shop assistant behind the counter, I instantly felt at home!...because let's face it - this store is a free trip to a mini-Willy Wonka factory! The shop assistant and I chatted for a bit about how these products move from USA, England to Adelaide - and of course, how the store is divided into four sections: 'Kids - best drinks from overseas that you can't get in Adelaide - imported from USA - imported from UK - Adelaide made'. Big hint: If you really look hard enough around the store, you will find some hidden treasures that cannot be obtained anywhere else in Adelaide! YES!! I love you Blackeby's! This shop has been open for a long time, and I didn't even notice it once walking through James Pl. Thanks largely to Yelp, I finally found you! Most importantly, the shop assistant took her time, really educated me, and I listened so hard that she picked out her favourite candy from each section...told me that the Cadbury chocolate made in UK is much more creamier and sweeter than the Cadbury made in Australia because of the hotter Australian weather (makes the chocolate melt more faster!)...which just made me drop my jaws at how much she knew about the products. Excellent product knowledge!! One last tip, make sure you bring at least $10-$30, cos I guarantee you will walk away with something. This store is really in another league when compared to every other confectionery store in Adelaide. No other store like this comes close, especially when it comes to product range and service. If you don't believe me, go in there and experience it yourself. Just read the other reviews if you still aren't convinced at the greatness of Blackeby's. I have officially wrote my longest review for Yelp, so far. Blackeby's, you deserve every word and minute I wrote for your review. I guess it's also because my dear Mother worked hard in a candy shop when she was a poor little girl, so I know how hard this trade can be. But you've lasted over 128 years, you're one of the first ones to open in Adelaide, and you define the words "Timeless" and "Everlasting". BONUS FUN FACTS: The name of the store is named after the first family who bought what was originally the Ransley confectionery stall - Wiiliam Blackeby and his son Bill Edward Blackeby bought it from Thomas Ransley in 1883. It was the first and has maintained itself as one of the longest trades in Adelaide that has survived all these years. Also, the long-lasting company continues its search for future retail sites, desiring to retain the "sweet shop" concept that many local generations grew up with, and ensuring that unique and memorable experience is available to future generations. I'm so honoured to even walk into this store. All I can say is Wow....and I'll be back again multiple times for my foreign candy fix!

Such a great 'treat' shop if you have kids who are well behaved and deserve a treat every now and…read morethen. Blackebys Old Sweet Shop is fun to visit if you want to have a little bit of entertainment by way of childish excitement and that rich smell of sugar in the air. Do not take kids who are little pains in the rear, because they will just make it difficult for you and everyone else in the shop, grabbing things and tipping things over. The colourful decorations on the shopfront are really extravagant and quite a big effort; tucked away in the less interesting end of James Place, a side lane easily avoided most of the time, which is why I say it is great as a surprise treat for well behaved kids. If they've never seen it before they will just light up when you expose them to this magical wonderland of sugary treats simply in response to all the lovely colour and fantasy elements so well created. It is a very fun atmosphere. And be aware that besides all the colour and fantasy, sugar is certainly the major element that you are dealing with here - particularly produce from the United Kingdom and from the United States... enough to sink a few ships and completely bust open any diet you may be on yourself. As an aside: If you've just given up that dreadful habit of smoking, stay well away from here if you want to avoid adding weight (go but some almonds or dried fruit) because I swear you will want to stuff yourself with these tasty morsels. Toffee, chocolate, specialty bars you can't generally purchase in Australia - some of the best things are the sherbets, the loose lollies and the American peanut butter cup cakes. You can get a White Knight, a Choo Choo and an English Whip... You can buy a large tin of Quality Street bonbons or jelly beans and fizzy drinks. You will find just about every kind of confectionery here imaginable including some of those rocks that explode in your mouth... Approach with caution and think carefully before you expose children to this place. Little monsters are likely to grow (yet) another head and your ankles will be sore from the biting, nay, gnawing that surely will follow. It should be a tantrum free area. Good idea to check out the website first. There are three stores around the place, one in Hallett Cove (South of the city) and one at the Brickwork's (West of the city) and of course the main one in the heart of the city - here. As with any imported specialty the cost can get quite high... but there are also some locally produced yummy things that don't seem too expensive so a treat is always within reasonable scope - just remember to be firm - with yourself and with the kids. Not a bad idea to make a pact with them before you go - one item only sort of deal.

This is one place you can come for all your sweet tooth needs and as their slogan goes, this is…read more"where your sweet dreams come true". It's bright and colourful, as a lolly shop should be :) it looks fun, exciting and eye catching so you won't be able to miss its location in Station Arcade. There's lollies (of course), chocolate, sweet drinks that you can't buy in supermarkets, and gift baskets. They specialise in American, New Zealand and English confectionery. The lady was friendly but she was one of those staff who stare at you as you walk around the store. But apart from that it was all good!

This is a good old fashioned lolly shop. They have heaps of old time favourites and a massive…read moreamount of imported stuff. So if you are from another country and craving the selections of home it's quite likely this store has it. So grab your favourite candies or pre packaged lollies, or get your assorted nuts, and then get a slab of Dr Pepper and you're all set. My favourite are the flying saucers. You know the ones with the sherbet in the middle. The variety here is great and you are sure to find something that takes your fancy. It's a little more pricey than getting your lollies elsewhere but most of it is imported and all well known brand names. It's great fun to try something different and this shop doesn't sell the stuff you find up the supermarket lolly isle. Well worth a look. It's not a fantastic shop itself but it's small niche of specialty makes it fantastic.

Yumyumyumyumyum! This is a two-in-one that can't be beat. First you have Ditters, with all their…read moreyummy nuts and dried fruits and some options that could even be considered healthy. Never fear, you've also most certainly got the non-healthy options - chocolate covered whatever and those richie rich fruit cakes that are so dense you'll be full on a small sliver. This is combined with Blackebys sweets, that gives you both an old school and international confectionery experience. I can never go past the giant freckles (my life-long addiction), oh the memories. In a nutshell - if you can't be pleased by the range here head into therapy immediately!

I loved this place, great spot for some Lovley chocolate and drinks. Lots of fun things to do and a…read moreamazing lawn out the front. There's games for little kids to do and free wifi. You can also see the chocolate being made! I would highly recommend!

There are a million different kinds of chocolate, candies and nuts here, and you're certain to find…read moresomething to suit every taste, including gluten free and diabetic. This is definitely an impressive thing, because not everyone remembers that dietry requirements differ. So I take my hat off to Melba's for that. I also take my hat off to them for giving me the incredible deliciousness that is the Thai sweet chilli cashews. Those things were heaven in my mouth, and now they're all gone, I am sad. But I will get some more, oh yes, I shall. My friend bought enough chocolate to sink a battleship, proclaiming that making a decision was hard, so one of just about everything was a better idea. We were both impressed with the service and the prices, the staff were friendly, and most wonderful of all, thanks to the time of day we visited, we were the only ones in the shop! Other people turned up when we left, so I think we did very well indeed. Melba's is an Adelaide institution, and with very good reason.