Ye Olde Pepper Companie

Candy store · Salem

Ye Olde Pepper Companie

Candy store · Salem

1

122 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970

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Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null
Ye Olde Pepper Companie by null

Highlights

Quaint flagship store for a circa-1800s company selling old-fashioned candies, fudge & taffy.  

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122 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970 Get directions

oldepeppercandy.com
@olde_pepper_candy

$$

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122 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970 Get directions

+1 978 745 2744
oldepeppercandy.com
@olde_pepper_candy

$$

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@atlasobscura

"Mary Spencer, a local in Salem, Massachusetts, first began selling sweets via horse-drawn wagon in 1806. Her signature creations were Blackjacks, a kind of molasses-flavored taffy, and Salem Gibralters, also known simply as Gibralters. Made from a deceptively simple ingredient list of sugar, water cream of tartar, cornstarch, and flavorings like peppermint or lemon, these hard, milk-white confections quickly gained an avid following. By most accounts, Gibralters were the first candy to be made and commercially sold in the country. Spencer is such a point of pride that the nearby Peabody Essex Museum has her original cart on display. After Spencer passed away in 1835, her son took over the business, then eventually sold it to John Pepper. George Burkinshaw bought the George W Pepper Companie in the early 20th century, along with the recipes for her beloved confections. Today, the fourth-generation business, which claims to be the oldest continuously operating candy company in the United States, still keeps this sweet tradition alive. Among the memorabilia on display are a Gibraltar candies that are more than 200 years old. Know Before You Go In addition to Gibralters and Blackjacks, the shop stocks everything from homemade fudge to horehound slugs." - AmicaKitty, linkogecko

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie – Salem, Massachusetts - Gastro Obscura
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Cas

Google
The shop is super tiny but oh so cute. Chocolates are good. Nice selection. I have been here before. They made a mistake and gave my order to the person ahead of me so they got some free extras. They remade my order but when I got outside I discovered it was wrong. I went back inside to have it corrected and the young lady seemed a bit upset that I was asking for what I actually ordered. I would still go back. She was maybe having an off day.

Ntzaki Potter

Google
This candy shop has some yummy treats, for sure! But the candy that made me happiest was the candy corn. Yes, I know candy corn is one of those things you either love or hate, and I love it. This shop has traditional candy corn as well as fun flavors like blackberry and caramel corn.

Joseph Sanchez

Google
The alleged oldest candy shop in the United States, serving up a lot of custom candies and chocolates. Stopped in on a Monday and it wasn't too busy, they have a really nice selection of chocolates and chocolate coated delicacies. There wasn't as much old candy as I was hoping for or expecting which is a bit of a disappointment but most of the stuff they had was really good or neat. Not worth going out of your way for but if you're in the area, very cool.

Lisa S

Google
I am not a big candy person, but I always like to stop in old candy stores that stood the test of time. This place has been in business since the early 1800s, so I figured they have to be doing something right to be in existence for so long. I immediately loved the atmosphere of this place as soon as I walked in as they were decorated for Halloween. They have a great assortment of candies to choose from, but I opted to buy candies already pre-boxed, which can be a bit costly but so worth it. I really wished I bought more of the toffee as this was absolutely delish. The staff is friendly and helpful and the store is well organized with great little gift ideas. I will definitely come back here again the next time I visit Salem.

Breanne Barente

Google
Delicious chocolates! Truly some of the highest quality chocolates I've had; it's always a treat (no pun intended) to grab some old fashioned peppermint patties, fudge, and truffles. Staff put a lot of effort into fun seasonal decorations as well. Parking is limited though. Beware - residents only parking is strictly enforced!

Hannah

Google
This was one of the places I wanted to go to the most when researching Salem. It’s the oldest candy store in the country and you can buy both old recipes and new modern candies here. My sister and I each bought two chocolates to try while in town as well as some more travel-in-the-car-for-four-days friendly candies to take home. I tried the raspberry cheesecake and the caramel marshmallow milk chocolate - both were delicious! We also bought some taffy, the wafers in the photo, and some kind of pumpkin rice crispy type thing.

b b

Google
Great fun candy. Many different types. You've never seen some all the way back from the 1800s. Great fun place

Tonya M H

Google
So much to choose from! We bought several pieces of chocolate and my favorite was the dark chocolate orange cream. Very small inside but the staff kept the customers moving through smoothly.

Stephanie V.

Yelp
The Ye Olde Pepper Companie is not to be missed on your trip to Salem. Even if you don't love candy, this shop is the oldest candy company founded in 1806! Mary Spencer peddled her Salem Gibralters around the city in the early 1800s before the Pepper family bought the company and created the Black Jack (a molasses stick candy). I got both on my visit and brought them home for family to try. We didn't really know what to expect, but both are pretty amazing, and I kind of wish I had purchased more. The candy shop is also filled with familiar favorites from gummy candies to chocolate truffles. There are witch themed items too. The two young folks working in the shop on the rainy afternoon I visited, couldn't have been nicer. They were patient with me as I perused the cases and shelves trying to determine what I wanted.

Laura E.

Yelp
We enjoyed this from a historical standpoint as well as a current customer! The employees were kind and attentive and everything we bought was delicious. We liked the super old candy inside and the old building and some itself.

Sarah F.

Yelp
Yes, the prices are high but everything I bought is quality. Plus it's the oldest candy store in America. Pretty cool.

Elena J.

Yelp
It's one of those places where you have high expectations for but in reality, it's just very meh. Sad to see the store did not preserve its ~first candy company~ness. The store cashier didn't know much about the stores history either. She also ruined the magic a little but saying the candies in store are all mass produced in a factory somewhere in Ohio. Overall, it just looks like a small boutique candy store. The candies (black jacks & gibralters) they are known for were kinda gross in my opinion. Either way, there aren't much to do in Salem so why not stop by...

Alex R.

Yelp
Best chocolates and fudge in Salem, hands down. The girls working the counter were very friendly and helpful! I loved seeing the equipment in the back, really contributed to the genuine feel of the place. I got some truffles and fudge, both of which were absolutely delicious! I recommend the brown butter fudge- it's some of the best I've ever had!!

Liliana R.

Yelp
I wanted to absolutely love this place, but it's pretty much the same as any other homemade candy store. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love me anything with an old-timey feel, but once you've been to one older candy shop, you've kind of been to them all. Since it's the "first candy store in the US," I had to pay it a visit just so that I could cross it off my list. It's a cute, little shop. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and the shop itself is well-maintained. Prices are what you'd expect for homemade candy, but they also have packaged candies for sale. Street parking outside is available but limited. The further away you park, the better. The chocolate turtles were delicious, but the Gibralters (both the lemon & mint varieties) were too similar to the chalky dinner mints in my opinion. Luckily, my friend loves dinner mints, so she got to keep those all to herself. I wouldn't necessarily make a special trip to return to this store, but if I'm ever in the area with out-of-town guests, it's a good, nostalgic spot to hit up.

Chris L.

Yelp
We had to visit on our recent trip to Salem. It's a candy shop. Small and crowded, with very little room to move. But the fudge was great - we bought a few different flavors. Yum!

Cindy M.

Yelp
11/2021 We were in Salem and walked past this place. Glad we stopped in as the chocolate was really tasty. There were plenty of options of candy. Glad I stopped in. Definitely check it out if you're in the area.

Krista R.

Yelp
The oldest candy company in America... I didn't go in cuz of parking. Husband did. He came out with chocolate covered peanuts, some other chocolates, a lemon thing, a maple stick, and coffee. Pretty damn good those chocolate covered peanuts were and whatever the lemon thing was. The maple stick was something you sucked on and even better in the coffee.

Tara S.

Yelp
There's a great selection of modern candy here and a few old fashioned candies, including one that was apparently the first commercially produced candy. I'm in it for the history so I was a bit disappointed that the store didn't have more of that - historical information and/or other historical candy. But I can imagine it is a balancing act between what history nerds would like to see and what most people would like to buy and eat. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area!

Chrissy F.

Yelp
The oldest candy company in America! That itself is quite impressive and I'm a sucker for superlatives so you know I had to scope it out. Upon walking in, there's a glass case full of artisanal chocolates, turtles, fudge, and around the store displays of taffy's, other types of candy, and their world famous gibralters candy. The gentleman in the store was super helpful, answered any questions we had, and provided some neat tidbits about the history of the company. I bought some of the unique candy for my parents and coworkers..nice way to bring a bit of Salem to others without breaking the bank and small enough to pack. I tried the lemon Gibralter and it melts in your mouth, very similar to an after-dinner mint. Kinda makes me wonder what would happen if I had a time machine and gave a warhead or sour patch kid to a colonial person to compare to what they considered candy back then lol

The Critical J.

Yelp
PROS: One thing i liked about this place was that everything was made in store. Their variety was large when it came to chocolate and fudge and since they made it I know it'll taste better than store bought. The prices were also reasonable considering its made in house. CONS: When I went in I expected to see more than just chocolate. Also nobody greeted us, asked us to try samples or if we needed help looking for anything, and just had their backs turned towards us. It felt like they didn't want to deal with us. OVERALL: Definitely a place I'd go to if I was with someone with a uncontrollable chocolate or fudge obsession but for someone like me, who likes chewy candy more, I'll have to pass next time

Kelsey C.

Yelp
This was a cute little shop to visit after leaving the House of Seven Gables across the street. They are still following COVID guidelines and are only allowing so many people at a time in the store. They have a lot of truffle flavors that I haven't saw other places. We tried a few and they were pretty good. All of the employees were very friendly and I love how it was decorated with witches. Definitely worth a pop in if you are in the area.

Kelly W.

Yelp
Loved it Got the blackjack molasses sticks, lemon and pepermint gibralters, and a licorish pipe. It was all great! Although I was surprised by the size of the gibralters. Brought them back to share with folks at home and everyone liked them. Can't speak for everything in the shop, but these historic candies had little to no food coloring, which was nice as it allowed my siblings to eat them (allergies). Shop was a bit small, and a few blocks away from the main tourist street- but totally worth a stop!

Diane H.

Yelp
Lots of candy to choose from in what is supposedly the oldest candy store in America. Not cheap either but cute.

Areeba Z.

Yelp
This is the oldest candy store in the area. It's a small and very cute place and the store owner/cashier is the friendliest! Due to Covid, they only allow 6 people inside at a time but we did not mind waiting. Inside, it is a candy galore! There is candy and taffy that I did not know even existed. I settled for many different types of fudge (you can get it by the piece) and the signature Molasses Blackjacks. Fun fact - those are best stirred into your tea! A great experience; some items were missing price tags, so if you're not careful..all the sugar can add up. A must try when in Salem, MA!

Jan P.

Yelp
Bought a package of their coconut squares at Henry`s market on Tuesday, and the inside of the fondant was a slightly yellow color. I tried two of them and they were definitely rancid. It seems that the milk or cream was old, not fresh, but the expiration date said good til July 13, 2024. The company, it seems, when making this batch, wanted to use up the milk or cream as it was starting to turn. I will not be buying from this company again, and I always had good luck before, but not when they are not using fresh milk and cream. My husband and I were at the Beverly Henry`s market, and he always buys the ones from Winfrey`s. We are loyal customers to Henry`s market and will continue to patronage this wonderful market.

Anthony G.

Yelp
I just couldn't help myself, it's Milk Chocolate Day (07/28) and I just had to write a review of Ye Olde Pepper Companie. Anyone who knows me, knows my love of chocolate. I have been called an addict, I have been called obsessed, some think I would willingly live off chocolate as my sole food source. These opinions, mind you, come from friends and family. They know me to well! Thus I believe I am a connoisseur of chocolate. The chocolate here is absolutely amazing! I decided to come here because the tour guide who dropped us off in Salem, said this was America's oldest candy company. He also said they sell candy made exactly like back during the Revolution. I was curious and wanted to see it. They did in fact sell those types of candies: Gibraltar's and Blackjacks. This is where I got some candy to give to a friend's roommate whose birthday I went to when I got from vacation. While here I noticed they sold fine chocolate... my hunger arose. I bought one piece of chocolate (a sea salt caramel milk chocolate piece) on my way to the House of the Seven Gables that is just a few blocks from the store. One bite... sent me straight to Heaven! This was the best chocolate I had ever eaten. It didn't just melt in my mouth, I melted into the street. The mix of savory salt, smooth chocolate and sweet caramel... oh lord my mouth salivates thinking about it! Before this bite, I thought Fannie Mae Chocolate in Chicago was the best... not anymore. I resolved that I would return before I left Salem to buy chocolate to take home with me back to Miami! I did return, and I bought fudge to take back with me to the hotel... and then a huge box to take with me back to Miami. If I could, I would have taken the store with me! If your in Salem visiting, you need to come here! Buy here! Eat from here! If you can't get to Salem... order from here online! https://www.oldepeppercandy.com

Lori F.

Yelp
A trip to Salem is never complete without a stop at the Oldest Candy Store. Period. We haven't been to Salem in a year since Covid and were so happy to make it for our Shopping & eating day through the City. It was nice to see a nice coat of sunny happy yellow paint to replace the white. Great job! The candies and fudge are delish! Peanut butter for me and chocolate marshmallow for hubby. The workers are always so busy with people coming and going and yet the lines even when scary long and around the corner move quickly.

Karen V.

Yelp
It's just a place that needs to be visited when in Salem. The company has been operating since 1806. It all started with the Gibraltars & Black Jacks. We had to buy them since it's the first candy ever invented. It's not the best tasting candy in the world, so you may want to skip that. I should have bought some chocolates while I was there. I tasted samples of the chocolate covered cherry candy. That was very good. They had various different flavors of fudge. Some interesting ones such as Snickers and Oreo Cookie. They also have some hard to find candies such as root beer barrels and vinegar caramels. We originally visited because we were told that they have candy making demonstrations. They apparently don't do it at the original location anymore. That was a little disappointing. Other than that, it was a neat little visit. The House of the Seven Gables is right around the corner from it. Save some time to see both while you're in the area.

Stephanie G.

Yelp
You can tell it's legit but the authentic spellings of 3 of the 4 names in the title. I asked what the original name was since I'm sure it didn't start off as a new "ye olde" company but I couldn't get an original name. On to the candy. I got a box of chocolates as a gift and a peanut butter cup and a piece of toffee for myself. The box looked fancy and made for a nice present and the chocolate I had tasted great but was a little pricey and for those items behind the counter, there's no sign on each, so it will either rack up quickly in price or you can ask each time. The staff seemed friendly and the place is small but does have a good variety. It's got some nice items for the sweet tooth and some lobster candy/saltwater taffy/other regional treats and standard chocolates. There's nothing about being the "oldest candy company in the country" that makes it more interesting to visit if you are looking to hit historic sites. I'm not sure if it's an original building but there's nothing super unique inside, but it's still good chocolates for the sweet tooth.

Nicole E.

Yelp
Great little candy shop! We loved visiting. The candy was delicious. We loved the handmade taffy! The lady behind the counter said it was handmade by the owner. Can't beat that!

Stephen Z.

Yelp
AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! Ye Olde Pepper Companie is THE OLDEST CANDY STORE IN AMERICA & has Candy that Can't be Found Anywhere else. The Shop has been in existence since 1806. This is a Great Place to buy unusual Gifts for the person who has a sweet tooth. See Below Gifts. Ye Olde Pepper Companie is located right across the street from The House of Seven Gables in Salem MA. Imagine the shop was created a mere 30 years after the country was first born in 1776 & it's still around today. AMAZING! Co-owner Bob Burkinshaw 3rd Generation & his daughter, Jackie , Fourth Generation are candy makers who still make the same sweet tasty treats just like they did Back in the Day. Not only are the old fashioned recipes from the 1800s still being used & are the same but also some of the equipment dates back to that time period as well. Just look at the Spelling of the shop's name; that tells you Everything. This is how The Olde English & The New colonists spelled things back in the 1800s. It is a completely different spelling than would be used today. The Ye Olde Pepper Companie traces its origin back to an Englishwoman named Mary Spencer who arrived in America in 1806 after being shipwrecked. She was really destitute but luckily she had some great neighbors who helped her out. They gave her some sugar so she could make her candy & support herself. George Pepper a confectioner bought the business in 1830. At the turn of the 20th Century, Burkinshaw's grandfather bought the company from Pepper & now has a multi generational family of Burkinshaws running the operations. It is a small shop but LOADED with all Kinds of Treats, Confections, Chocolates & Candies Both Modern & from Back in the Day too. YOU MUST TRY THE FOLLOWING AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE. UNUSUAL GIFTS THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF: 1) Gibralters which are the first commercially sold candies in America. They come in 2 Flavors Lemon & Peppermint. They are an unusual white chalky like consistency Candy that can be broken apart in pieces with your hand & has a Lemony Flavor & the other has a Minty Flavor. 2) Black Jacks are America's First Stick Candy. They are Hand Made Molasses that tastes like Creme Brûlée. These Gibralters & Black Jacks are completely different than any of our modern day candy & have to be tried at least once. THEY ARE GOOD! 3) Home Made Chocolates & Turtles & a Chocolate with a Pistachio Cream Filling that's Delicious. 4) They also carry Seasonal & Holiday Only Candies as well as Salt Water Taffy, Barks, Patties, Squares, Non-Pareils, Brittles, Caramel Corn & Fudge. Ye Olde Pepper Companie is such a Cool Candy Shop loaded with Rich History of Delicious & Unusual TastyTreats. YUM!!!!!! It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really rich to have The Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've Been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like A King On A Limited Budget!

James C.

Yelp
Such an adorable and historic candy shop near Salem's downtown area (across from the House of Seven Gables). Great selection of assorted chocolates and many hard to find candies. They have a great selection of taffy and hard candies. COVID update: be prepared to wait in long lines the month of October. It is a very small space and only 6 customers are allowed at a time. It is SO worth the wait!

Donna B.

Yelp
Cute! Great spot, but was definitely disappointed. Not too much out of the ordinary. Candies you can find at home. Also wish they'd play more on the Halloween theme... walked out empty handed.

Aimee B.

Yelp
Coll candy shop with lots of neat options. It is the oldest in the US so of course we stopped in after our tour of the House of Seven Gables. We went in hungry so that was our first mistake (oh and we took our kids in - second mistake). They have a chocolate case and a fudge case. We each picked out a few items we wanted to have and snack on during our stay. They also offer some packed candy made like they did when the store would have first opened. We purchased a bag for us to try. It really was not bad and had a little sweetness to it. The staff was nice and offered a bit of help on the items. The store was not busy when we were in there so we had time to look and ask questions. Very cute shop with some interesting items and a bit of history while you are there.

Nicole S.

Yelp
The shop is tiny and super cute. You really feel the tininess when you step inside, especially when there are other people in there browsing (and it felt like there were always other people inside browsing!). There is so much candy here. You will find a lot of old fashioned candy, like black jacks, taffy, sugar sticks, ginger candy and the like. You'll also find lots of chocolate (and chocolate-dipped things, like chocolate-dipped Oreos, chocolate-dipped pretzels, chocolate-dipped marshmallows, etc.) We opted for a handful of gummy fruit slices, in lemon-lime, grape, watermelon and cherry. They were really good! Four gummy slices put us back a dollar and some change, so it's not the most economical place to buy candy, but the variety and quality (and novelty) make it worth it.

K. Brooke Z.

Yelp
For a smallish place, this shop packs a big punch. There is a wide variety of yummy candy treats, especially of the chocolate variety. I was recommended the cherry cordials and definitely would get them again. The turtles were also delicious. Ask for recommendations and try them out!

Hali P.

Yelp
Charming little candy store in Salem, MA. Large variety of sweets and treats to snack on after a long day of shopping for cauldron and brooms. Try the Gibraltars! Minty goodness.

Fred B.

Yelp
Great chocolate candies and truffles. Old fashioned sweets many are house made. Place was swamped with customers.

Miread G.

Yelp
This store is neat, there's a lot of seasonal candy that changes frequently. It's in a good place to walk in and do some more shopping. The 200 year old candy in the jar freaks me out for some reason. I don't know what it is about it. Maybe it's the fact that if you'd open it, it could turn to dust, or if you ate it you would probably die instantly. I still find it a really really unique and interesting piece of history though.Other than that it's really cool! They have fudge, sweet popcorn, chocolate, gum, and even retro candy....a lot of it too! (Not counting the old jar candy.) Next time I visit, I will definitely look for this place, it has quite the history and is wicked cute inside.

Jenny P.

Yelp
We walked a ways to get there and I laughed as we approached because there was a line. It's a Saturday in October. We waited and finally got it. Lots of chocolates and fudge. I got a selection. It's expensive but in a touristy area so not surprising. I thought it all would be okay. I was wrong. It was amazing. The raspberry jellies were the best I have ever had and I love raspberry jellies. I've had them all over. The orange pumpkin gummies were really flavorful. It is worth the walk and the wait!

Paul S.

Yelp
Ye Olde Pepper Companie the oldest candy shop in the USA. While in Salem, Ma I had to give this place a try. It was neat to look at from the out side the building was a small grey Salt box style cape cod looking house. But sadly not wheelchair accessible, which I can understand given it's age. Good thing I had my son with me. I sent him in told him what I wanted. He came out about 40 minutes later this place is popular and busy. I got their signature candies (Molasses Blackjacks) not bad if you like the flavor of Molasses, I also tried their Peppermint Gabarlters, Not a fan of peppermint, Not for me but I had to try. and the No Brainers. Old fashioned Lemon Drops & N.E. Saltwater Taffy. Oh Yeah Ye Olde Pepper Companie is a must take while visiting Salem, Ma

Par M.

Yelp
This place is making boatloads of money, and yet they treat their customers like nothing more than an inconvenience. Some of the least welcoming, least polite, least friendly service I've had in a long time. If you expect to go in here and look around and what they have and ask questions- don't bother. This place is a revolving door and they move you through like cattle. No stopping. No questions. No talking. It's like if the soup nazi from Seinfeld opened a candy shop, except not in a funny way. 0 stars

Jessica M.

Yelp
Small candy shop across from the Seven Gabels. In Salem, Massachusetts this place is down town in walking distance from the mairetime national park. The building is old and has a step to get in with no wheel chair entrance. It is a tight squeeze that gets busy easy. The chocolate is done well and lots of cute and creative options. There are plenty of choices for the whole family. Home made fudge and truffles, maple candies and more. My favorite was the chocolate covered gummy bears. The oldest candy shop in the United States and a great attraction.

Jill O.

Yelp
This place is one of the hidden little gems in Salem. I say hidden, because literally no one told us about this spot while we were on vacation. We got information about some of the typical tourist spots, like the House of the Seven Gables and the Witch Museum. But while we were down by the wharf, we happened to find this place on accident. It's tucked away, just a cute, old little storefront. But inside, it's full of an amazing amount of different candies. Their chocolates are so good! I came back twice before we left, because I kept eating the chocolates that I was saving to bring home as souvenirs. I regret nothing! It's a neat place to poke around, and the chocolates are really good too. Though, I admittedly can't comment on Oprah's favorite turtles, since I 1) don't care what Oprah has to say about chocolate and 2) don't like nuts. But this place is definitely worth checking out. Bonus: they have a really good variety of sugar free items, too.

Allison R.

Yelp
Some of the reviews of Ye Olde Pepper Companie make this shop sound like an overcrowded tourist trap, but that wasn't my experience at all. I stopped into Pepper Companie after an early morning tour of the House of the Seven Gables. There were maybe one or two other customers in the shop at the time and 4 employees: a few behind the counter and at the cash registers, and one dressed in Colonial garb, handing out samples. I sampled (and ended up buying) the black strap molasses Black Jacks, which are exclusively made by Pepper Companie, using the original recipe. If you love molasses, these are the treat for you! There were lots of other prepackaged candies and fudge options like you'd find in other candy stores. But the "historical" treats like the Black Jacks are really what makes this place stand out, and totally worth visiting for!

Rose M.

Yelp
One of the oldest candy companies in the U.S. and it was really good. Lots of old fashioned candies, chocolates and taffy. Try the Black Jacks (old fashioned hard candy sticks made of black strap molasses) and the Lemon Gibraltar's (basically pillow mints that melt in your mouth!)

Jack R.

Yelp
Oprah recommends this place, but what does she know? They have a sign by their chocolate turtles that says it's one of her favorite things. I'm not an Oprah fan. I don't care much for her Starbucks Chai, and these turtles didn't taste fresh. They tasted like they've been sitting around for weeks. I could have gone to Walmart and gotten the same thing for less than $23/lb.

Marilyn A.

Yelp
Came here for for some homemade chocolate and I must say that I was extremely pleased. If you're looking for a small authentic chocolate and fudge shop this is be place to be. I would highly recommend it! I ordered the milk chocolate salted caramel pretzel and cookies and cream fudge and I must say it was very fresh and soft. Definitely would come back again!

Annie W.

Yelp
Cute little shop in this charming little town! The lady working at the Witch House told us to check out the waterfront and this cute little candy shop! We were glad we took their suggestion, because the candy was so good! The ladies working were super nice and told us more about the town and it's atmosphere. If you stop in make sure to try some of their caramels, they were my favorite!

Karl L.

Yelp
Was planning on purchasing a couple pounds of various fudges. I asked if I could have a small taste of one and was told no . We don't give free samples ...you have to buy it 1st before you can taste it. She could have easily said something positive like like if I give you a free sample the owners will take it out of my salary and laughed. I would have accepted this . But she wasn't apologetic or concerned and I walked out disappointed But glad I didn't give them my 30 or $40 that would have more than made up for the small taste I asked for.

DeAnna P.

Yelp
Fail. I really wanted to take home something made there. If it ain't chocolate, it seems like it ain't made there. I picked up numerous items and they were all made elsewhere. Prices were also really high. I did love the inside decor. And it is adorable outside as well.

Linda E.

Yelp
A lot of history here and definitely a place all tourist should stop by to support a local business. It is a bit pricey but still one should make it a point to stop by. I tried some of their chocolates, Halloween mix, and sweet popcorn. All in all not the best candy but still good enough to enjoy!

Mark G.

Yelp
While On our trolley tour today it was suggested we check out the oldest candy store in the US. Which we did but I wasn't to impressed with the chocolate. I did like how many options of chocolates and other candies they had.

Saige M.

Yelp
Super crowded and stuffy. There's no structure so it's just mayhem trying to get a place in line and keep it. I got cut three times trying to buy chocolates but it all worked out in the end and the chocolates were delicious. The salted caramel is the best!! We tried about 14 flavors and the salted caramel blew the rest away. We also tried the infamous black jacks and they are good as well!

Allie S.

Yelp
Cute and charming candy store right in front of the House of the Seven Gables. I came in right after finishing a visit to the Seven Gables and the store was empty at the time. I have a huge sweet tooth but I'm not a huge fan of non-chocolate old fashioned candies. However, they do carry truffles and a lot of other chocolate goodies. While I did stock up on chocolates, what I loved most about the store was the friendly employees who gave me advice on the area as a first time visitor and urged me to return for the Halloween festivities.

Erica L.

Yelp
This is a great place to stop. Practically right across from the House of The Seven Gables it is slightly off the beaten path. Oldest candy company in America. There is a lot of selection, many choices. Truefuls are a signature chocolate! Apparently it's a cross between a truffle and a cream center. They are yummy! One thing I will say is the staff here is the friendliest. I mean, they are the best. This goes a long way in my book. This place is always teeming with children and tourists. I personally happen to be a lover of both children, and tourists. However the onslaught must be incessant if I've been here, say, 15 times and it is always the case (I'm a local so that's not 15 times in tourist season or weekends only)! Despite this, the staff is reliably patient, helpful, friendly. It's unusual to feel so at home in a chocolate shop, but the staff ensures this, and does it well. Also I love the history of the place. It is kind of cool to a be part of something like this place. Go experience and enjoy it. Perhaps I should have started my review with the important credentials that the chocolate is really good, and the price is right! Also, of note : I have gone during this Covid era, and they are doing an amazing job with balancing safety protocols with maintaining a welcoming, congenial atmosphere and delicious candy. Thank you!

Stephanie Q.

Yelp
I had to wait for an hour for the tour at the House of Seven Gables, so I decided to get candy from Ye Olde Pepper Comapnie. When I saw the name, I thought they sold peppers covered with chocolates, which wouldn't be good. Luckily, they don't sell chocolate covered peppers, they sell old fashioned candy made on the premise. You can even see the kitchen where they make the candy. There was a short line outside hat moves quickly. They don't allow too many people in the store at once so you can have a stress free, crowd free shopping experience. While waiting in line, we were given candy- some sort of molasses candy, and a lemon candy. It makes the wait shorter. Once we entered the store, the lady at the counter explained to us that there were 2 different places to line up - one line for chocolates, one line for fudge and turtles. Fudge? Yes. I love fudge. The problem was that we could not decide which flavors to pick- chocolate, vanilla, snickers, M&M? We settled on cookies and cream and peanut butter. They were already cut into small pieces, 2 pieces cost less than $3 (they charge by weight). I would highly recommend coming here to fulfill your sweet tooth!

Amanda P.

Yelp
Rude staff (to the point I just left) and prices sky high. I used to love this place, I was really disappointed.