Shane Confectionery – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Gastro Obscura

"With its pastel color scheme and historic decor, Shane Confectionery is the sweetest survivor of Philadelphia’s 19th-century retail revolution. In 1863, Samuel Herring—of the then-renowned confectioner Herrings—opened a wholesale business at 110 Market Street. His son, also named Samuel, was busy fighting for the Union in the Civil War, but when he returned in 1865, he took over the shop. With fellow confectioner Daniel S. Dengler, Samuel did a brisk trade in wholesale ingredients, including glucose, dates, nuts, and cocoa. Wholesale was fine and dandy, but the pedestrians of Philadelphia had sweet teeth to sate. In 1910, a young man by the name of Edward R. Shane bought and renovated the confectionery, turning it into a glittering jewel box of retail-friendly treats. Stained-glass windows, storefront showcases, and shelves lined with candy jars beckoned visitors to try Shane’s wares. When the Berley Brothers purchased the confectionery in 2010, they kept the Shane name, in recognition of the family’s 99-year operation of the store. Thanks to a major restoration effort, Shane Confectionery’s early 20th-century decor shines as brightly as it did in the 1910s. Naturally, old-fashioned treats are abundant: Turkish Taffy, jawbreakers, and candy cobblestones are among the throwback offerings. Shane’s Clear Toy Candy, made by pouring colored molten sugar into 19th-century molds, is a particular fan favorite. But it’s not all old-timey: The vegan sour gummies, CBD chocolates, and single-origin 70 percent cocoa bars make it clear that the 21st century has arrived. Know Before You Go Shane Confectionery is one block east of the Market-Frankford Line (MFL) Subway 2nd Street stop." - Fred Cherrygarden, blimpcaptain, ljburmeister