Some places carry a kind of magic that goes far beyond what they sell. A beloved candy shop in Lafayette, Indiana is one of those rare spots where history, sweetness, and community come together in one beautiful building.
From the moment you walk through the door, something shifts and you feel like you have traveled back to a simpler, sweeter time. With classic confections, nostalgic charm, and a warm atmosphere that keeps generations coming back, this destination feels like a reminder of how special old-fashioned treats can be.
If you have a love for timeless sweets and old-school charm, this candy wonderland belongs on your must-visit list.
Come Admire the Victorian Building on Main Street
Few candy stores in the country can claim a home as stunning as this one. McCord Candies sits inside a beautifully preserved Victorian-era structure at 536 Main St, Lafayette, IN 47901, and the building itself is part of the whole experience.
The arched limestone entrance and ornate interior details were reportedly inspired by Parisian design, giving the space a truly one-of-a-kind feel.
The building has been a candy shop and luncheonette since 1912, which means it has welcomed generations of sweet-toothed visitors through its doors. You can actually feel that history when you look up at the original staircase or run your hand along the aged woodwork.
It is the kind of architectural detail that most modern shops simply cannot replicate.
Visitors who appreciate craftsmanship will find themselves pausing just to take it all in before even glancing at the candy. The structure itself tells a story of a community that has cherished this corner of downtown Lafayette for over a century.
Planning your visit with a little extra time to soak in the surroundings is absolutely worth it. Bring a camera because the exterior alone makes for a striking photo that captures something genuinely rare in American retail history.
Try a Custom Handmade Soda at the Vintage Fountain
Ordering a drink here feels like a small ceremony. The soda fountain at McCord Candies became part of the store in the early 1950s, and it is widely considered one of the oldest operating soda fountains in Indiana and across the broader Midwest.
That is not a small claim, and one sip of a handmade Italian soda makes you understand why people keep coming back.
You can mix and match from dozens of flavor options, building your own unique combination from scratch. Mango and pomegranate, ginger phosphate, lemonade, classic floats, malts, and shakes are all on the menu.
The old-fashioned phosphates in particular carry a depth of flavor that no bottled commercial drink can match. Guests have described the ginger variety as unlike anything they have tasted before.
The counter setup adds to the charm in a big way. Sitting at the soda fountain feels like something from a movie set, except it is completely real and fully operational.
Every drink is made by hand right in front of you, which makes the wait feel more like entertainment than inconvenience. If you are visiting with kids, this is the moment they will talk about for weeks.
Adults tend to get just as excited, especially those who grew up before fast food became the default experience for a sweet afternoon out.
Watch Hand-Pulled Candy Canes Being Made Live
There is something almost hypnotic about watching someone pull a candy cane by hand. McCord Candies produces around 30,000 hand-pulled candy canes every year, and the process is as impressive as the number sounds.
Visiting during the holiday season gives you a front-row seat to a tradition that very few candy shops in the country still carry on.
The store offers special candy cane tours where you can follow the entire process from start to finish. You learn about the history behind the treat, watch the artisans stretch and twist the warm sugar mixture, and see the final shape emerge right before your eyes.
Some tour experiences even let you try shaping a small candy cane yourself, which turns a simple visit into a genuine hands-on memory.
Tour pricing has been noted at around seven dollars per person for group visits, making it an affordable and educational outing for families and school groups alike. The staff who lead these tours are knowledgeable and clearly passionate about what they do.
For anyone who has ever wondered how those perfectly striped confections come to be, this is your chance to find out in person. It is the kind of experience that sticks with you long after the candy is gone, and it makes McCord Candies feel like far more than just a place to shop.
Make Your Pick From the Handcrafted Chocolate Selection
Chocolate lovers will want to block out extra time for this part of the visit. The handcrafted chocolate selection at McCord Candies is genuinely impressive, ranging from silky truffles in red velvet and salted caramel to rich chocolate-covered caramels and peanut butter fudge balls.
Each piece is made with real care, and you can taste the difference immediately.
The display cases are a visual treat on their own. Rows of dark and milk chocolate pieces sit alongside snappers, buttercream chocolates, and a variety of cream-filled options.
One visitor described the marshmallow chocolate Coke combination as the ultimate sweet treat, and it is easy to see why that kind of personal discovery keeps people talking about this place long after their visit.
Gift boxes are available for those who want to bring a piece of McCord Candies home for someone special. The shop has been known to fill substantial custom orders within just a few days, making it a thoughtful option for corporate gifts, holiday stocking stuffers, or just a heartfelt treat for a friend.
Marzipan fruit candies also appear among the specialty items, adding a touch of old-world European confectionery to the mix. Every selection feels like it was made with intention, and that quality shows in every bite you take from this remarkable Indiana candy shop.
Do Explore the Shelves Packed With Nostalgic Sweets
Walking through the candy aisles here feels like flipping through an old photo album. Shelves are stocked with candies that many visitors have not seen since they were kids, and spotting a forgotten favorite sends a jolt of pure joy through you.
For anyone who grew up as a Gen X kid or earlier, this is the kind of place that brings back memories in the most delicious way possible.
The variety is genuinely wide. Alongside the house-made chocolates and candy canes, you will find imported sweets, quirky novelty candies, and hard-to-find classics that have disappeared from most mainstream stores.
British favorites like Squashies have even made an appearance, showing that the store keeps things fresh while still honoring the old-school spirit that defines the shop.
The decor adds another layer to the experience. Quirky and unique touches fill every corner, from vintage signage to fun little collectibles and novelty items that make browsing feel like an adventure rather than a simple shopping trip.
Upstairs, some visitors have discovered a section with vintage clothing, adding a totally unexpected twist to the outing. McCord Candies is not just a place to buy sweets.
It is a place to wander, remember, and discover something new around every corner. That combination of nostalgia and surprise is what keeps both locals and out-of-town guests returning again and again.
Plan a Fun Chocolate Workshop for the Whole Family
Not every candy shop lets you get your hands dirty in the best possible way. McCord Candies offers interactive workshops where visitors can create their own sweet masterpieces, and the chocolate pizza experience is one of the most talked-about options.
You choose your toppings, customize your creation, and walk away with something you actually made yourself.
Other workshop options include building caramel apples, assembling hot cocoa bombs, and decorating chocolate-covered strawberries. These sessions are perfect for birthday outings, family day trips, or anyone who wants something more memorable than a standard shopping visit.
The hands-on format makes the experience feel genuinely engaging rather than just another tourist stop.
Kids especially love the freedom to design their own treats, but adults get just as absorbed in the process once they start. There is something satisfying about creating something edible from scratch, even if the process only takes a short while.
The workshops also give you a small window into the skill and patience that goes into candy making at a professional level. Booking ahead is recommended since these sessions can fill up, especially on weekends and during the holiday season when foot traffic at the store picks up significantly.
Skip the Fast Food and Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Lunch
Most candy stores do not feed you a full meal, but McCord Candies takes the luncheonette side of its heritage seriously. From February through November, the shop serves cold lunch sandwiches alongside its fountain drinks and sweet treats.
It is a nod to the original luncheonette culture that made places like this a daily gathering spot for communities throughout the early and mid twentieth century.
Pairing a classic sandwich with a handmade soda or a rich chocolate treat turns a quick stop into a real midday outing. The setup encourages you to slow down, sit at the counter, and enjoy the surroundings rather than rushing through your order.
That slower pace feels refreshing in a world where most food experiences are designed for speed above everything else.
The lunch offering is seasonal, so checking ahead of your visit is a smart move if you are planning to make a full afternoon of it. The store is open Monday through Sunday with varying hours, staying open as late as 9 PM on most weekdays and Saturdays.
Sundays have shorter hours running from 12:30 to 5:30 PM, so plan accordingly. Coming hungry and leaving happy with a bag of chocolates tucked under your arm is honestly one of the most satisfying ways to spend a downtown Lafayette afternoon.
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