Shane’s is a place I discovered when I first moved to Philadelphia. It was described to me as the oldest candy store in America. When you go in, you will not dispute this claim. Opened as a candy store in 1863, it has remained a candy store ever since. Little has changed of the interior, so the display cases are still the ones you would have seen glared through drooling over what you were going to spend your pennies on as if you would have grown up in the early 1900’s . I love the feel of nostalgia when entering the famed candy store. My favorite time to go is around Christmas and Easter when Shane’s windows are decorated with giant chocolate Santa’s and Easter bunnies.

Although Shane’s does sell some pre-packaged sweets, they still use the same handmade candy making techniques that made the store what it is today. Old candy molds decorate the interior of the shop when they are not being used to create the homemade confections. It is not unusual to see candies you have never seen before since Shane’s still makes candies from days gone by. Shane’s has become the anchor of the Old City neighborhood with other businesses around trying to fit in with their old world style.