Back in 1922, a couple made candy in their basement and sold it from an enclosed front porch. That porch business is still going strong today.
And the same family still runs it, five generations later.
I love that story. Every piece gets hand-coated in small batches.
No preservatives, no artificial flavors, and no shortcuts.
The shelves hold caramels, truffles, buttercreams, brittles, and barks. Then there are the Irish potatoes, a coconut and cinnamon treat with such a following that you can order them all year.
I can’t imagine a better reason to break a diet in New Jersey.
So how does a basement candy operation outlast a century of food trends? The answer is sweeter than you might expect.
A Front Porch Candy Counter Turned Into A Century-Long Legacy
Back in October 1922, Charles J. Duffy and his wife, Elizabeth, started making candy in their basement.
Their small row home sat on 4th Street in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
The sales counter was the enclosed front porch. Business grew, and the shop soon spilled into the front room too.
That humble setup became Duffy’s Delicious Candies. Today, the business is known as Duffy’s Fine Chocolates, and it has a lovely spot in Haddonfield.
The family kept that spirit alive through some big changes. After Charles passed in 1949, his son James took over the business.
A year later, James moved the Gloucester City operation to Broadway.
Fast forward more than 100 years, and the candy is still coming. Few shops anywhere can say they started on a porch and outlasted a century.
When you buy a box here, you’re getting chocolate with a real backstory. That makes every bite feel a little more meaningful, and a lot more fun to share.
Five Generations Of One Family Keep The Recipes In Good Hands
Family businesses rarely make it past the third generation. Duffy’s has reached the fifth, which feels like a small miracle in a world of chain stores.
Barbara Hall, granddaughter of James Duffy, acquired the business in 2002. She now works alongside her daughter, Michelle Sieg, and son-in-law, Eric Sieg.
Michelle is a fifth-generation owner. That means the candy you buy today connects straight back to the couple in that Gloucester City basement.
I believe that kind of continuity shows up in the product. When your great-great-grandparents built something, you probably don’t take shortcuts with it.
Think about how much has changed since 1922. Cars, phones, music, and snack trends have all flipped many times over.
Yet one family has kept turning out hand-coated chocolates the whole way through.
There’s also something comforting about buying from people with their name on the door. You’re not supporting a faceless corporation.
You’re helping a family keep a tradition alive in New Jersey.
So the next time you pick up a box of truffles, remember the long line of hands behind them. A century of family pride comes wrapped in every order.
That’s a gift with serious roots.
Small Batches And Hand-Coating Make Every Piece Worth The Wait
Mass production is fast. Duffy’s prefers the slower route, and your taste buds will thank them for it.
The candy is made right on the premises in small batches. Each piece is hand-coated, which takes far more time than running everything through a machine line.
Small batches give candy makers tighter control. They can keep an eye on each tray instead of hoping a giant vat turns out fine.
The ingredient list matters here too. Duffy’s commits to fine, natural ingredients and skips preservatives, additives, and artificial flavorings.
That’s a refreshing promise in a world where candy labels read like chemistry homework. You can actually pronounce what’s going into these treats.
Imagine that.
Hand-coating also gives each piece a bit of personality. No two chocolates come out exactly identical, which is part of the charm of handmade candy.
For gift shoppers, this is a big deal. A box of hand-coated chocolates says you put thought into the present.
It shows you went looking for something special instead of grabbing whatever sat near the checkout lane.
Good things take time. At Duffy’s, that old saying comes with a chocolate coating.
Irish Potatoes Have A Fan Club Big Enough To Beat The Calendar
No actual potatoes were harmed in the making of this candy. Irish potatoes are a sweet, coconutty treat finished with a hint of cinnamon.
They earned the name because they look a bit like tiny spuds. One taste, though, and nobody will confuse them with dinner.
These little guys are a Philadelphia-area tradition. They usually show up around St. Patrick’s Day, then vanish from shelves for the rest of the year.
Duffy’s handles things a little differently. Demand for its Irish potatoes runs so high that the shop lets people order them year-round.
That’s great news for anyone who craves them in July. You no longer need to wait for March to roll around.
If you’ve never tried one, they make a fun introduction to regional candy culture. Folks outside the area often have no idea what they are, which makes them a great conversation starter.
Pack a few into a gift box for a friend who moved away. Nothing says hometown like a cinnamon-dusted coconut nugget from New Jersey.
Just be warned. Once you start popping them, stopping at one becomes a real challenge.
Caramels, Truffles, And Buttercreams Fill The Classic Lineup
Indecisive shoppers, consider yourselves warned. The core lineup at Duffy’s Fine Chocolates covers nearly every classic you could want.
Caramels, truffles, and buttercreams lead the way. Coconut creams, cordial cherries, and raspberry jelly pieces round out the traditional side of the menu.
Chocolate boxes make the easiest choice for gifts. They let you sample a spread of flavors without committing to just one.
Fruit lovers have plenty to explore as well. Chocolate-covered apricots, blueberry jellies, jelly fruit slices, and Turkish paste orange all appear on the list.
Then there are the crunchy picks. Brittles, almond clusters, and chocolate-covered Brazil nuts bring a nice snap to the mix.
My advice is simple. Grab a few things you already love, then add one item you’ve never tried before.
That approach keeps every visit interesting. Maybe the cordial cherry becomes your new favorite, or maybe the Turkish paste orange steals the show.
Either way, you walk out with a bag full of options. Sharing those options is optional, of course.
Nobody needs to know exactly how many buttercreams made it home.
Barks, Pretzels, And Gummy Bears Bring The Fun Side Of The Shop
Fancy truffles are lovely. Sometimes, though, you just want a salty pretzel dunked in chocolate.
Duffy’s gets that. Chocolate-covered pretzels sit right alongside the more elegant options, and they deliver that perfect sweet and salty combo.
Barks come in several varieties, and almond bark is one of the standouts. Big, breakable slabs are perfect for sharing, or for pretending you’ll share.
Chocolate-covered strawberries add a fresh twist. They make a natural pick for birthdays, anniversaries, or any day that needs a little brightening.
Kids have their own reasons to get excited. Gummy bears and a milk chocolate jelly bean scoop give younger visitors something colorful to grab.
That mix makes the shop easy for families. Grown-ups can go gourmet while the kids zero in on the bright stuff.
It also helps when you need a quick, casual treat. Not every occasion calls for a ribboned box of truffles.
A bag of pretzels for a road trip works just fine. So does a chunk of bark tucked into a lunch bag.
Either way, you’re getting handmade quality in a laid-back package.
Holidays Get A Whole New Flavor When Seasonal Candy Arrives
Calendar pages flip, and the candy case changes right along with them. Seasonal treats are a big part of the Duffy’s experience.
Halloween brings the Boo Boxes. These themed collections make a fun alternative to the usual bag of mass-produced fun-size bars.
Caramel apples also make the list. They’re a classic fall favorite, and they pair nicely with a crisp afternoon stroll.
Seasonal candies show up throughout the year too. That gives you a good excuse to stop by more than once.
I like how holiday candy turns a small purchase into a tradition. Families often return to the same shop every year for the same seasonal box.
With a century of history behind it, Duffy’s has probably been part of plenty of those family rituals. Some households might be on their third or fourth generation of holiday visits.
Planning ahead pays off during busy seasons. Holidays naturally bring more shoppers, so stopping in early gives you the best shot at your favorites.
Need a teacher gift, a hostess present, or a stocking stuffer? A seasonal box checks every box.
Pun fully intended.
Haddonfield Makes The Perfect Backdrop For A Chocolate Stop
Location matters, and this shop landed in a sweet spot. You’ll find it at 145 Kings Hwy E, Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
Kings Highway runs through the heart of Haddonfield. The town is known for its walkable downtown and its collection of independent shops.
That makes Duffy’s easy to fold into a bigger outing. Grab lunch, browse a few stores, and save the chocolate for dessert.
The family also has deep roots in Gloucester City. Their original business grew there, and fans still connect the two towns.
Haddonfield gives the brand a fresh audience while keeping it close to home. Both towns sit in South Jersey, just a short drive from Philadelphia.
For visitors coming from across the river, this is a simple day trip. You don’t need to plan a big getaway to enjoy some local history.
Parking and timing are worth thinking through before you go. A little planning keeps the trip relaxed.
Once you arrive, take your time. A downtown stroll with a bag of handmade chocolates is one of the easiest small pleasures around.
Kings Highway practically begs for a slow walk.
Plan Your Visit Around These Hours So You Never Miss Out
Mondays are a rest day for this crew. Show up then, and you’ll only get a view of the window display.
The shop opens Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM. On Saturday and Sunday, hours run from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Weekend hours wrap up a bit earlier. Keep that in mind if you plan to swing by after an afternoon of errands.
Arriving with a cushion of time is always smart. Rushing in at the last minute is no way to choose between truffles and buttercreams.
Gift shoppers should also think ahead. Holiday weeks can get busy at small shops, so an early visit takes the pressure off.
Since Irish potatoes can be ordered year-round, ask about them anytime. That way you’re not stuck waiting until March.
Duffy’s Fine Chocolates proves that a basement candy dream can outlast a hundred years of change. It’s one of those places that makes New Jersey feel a little sweeter.
So mark your calendar and pick your day. A century of family candy-making is waiting behind that counter, and it would be rude to keep it waiting.
