Walking into Oliver’s Candies is a treat for the senses – the smell of chocolate and other sweets-in-the-making, the shelves of bright, colorful candies, and the excitement of choosing that delectable treat to indulge in on your way out the door. This sweet little shop in Batavia, NY is all about the homemade touch – and it shows in the delicious goodies they craft right in house.
On a trip to Batavia, you can’t miss Oliver’s. And you probably won’t – it’s the only Swiss-style chalet in the town, simply beckoning visitors to swing by and check it out. In fact, the original building was once part of Joseph Oliver’s house. Open since 1932, Oliver’s is currently on its fourth generation of family owners, and it continues to use those proven family recipes that make up the Oliver’s difference – real ingredients, butter, cream, and other natural products. Cocoa beans are hand-selected to produce the best and sweetest chocolate in the area – a level of melty-goodness and care that is not found elsewhere.
No matter what time of year you visit, Oliver’s has the right treats to fit the season. Homemade ice cream and custard (with fresh whipped cream!) are a hit in the summer months, while the winter brings on ribbon candy and homemade candy canes. Sponge candy is a famous favorite that can be found year-round, dipped in milk, white or dark chocolate, or found “naked” if you so desire it. The famous WNY delicacy has a sugary, melt-in-your-mouth toffee inside, arranged in a light, honeycomb center, with a chocolate coating that is irresistible for anyone who takes a bite.
Oliver’s goes all out for the holidays. This winter season, the shelves are filled with peppermint bark, snowballs, gummi snowflakes, foiled Santas and bells, Christmas fudge, red and green malt balls, and more – offering a tasty treat for parties, gifts, or stocking stuffers for the kids. Seasonal gift baskets and boxes are also available as the perfect gift for the choco-holic in your life. And on select days, Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance at the store (even they agree that Oliver’s has the best candy selection for miles around).
Note: Order online and Oliver’s provides free shipping on orders of $50 or more. It’s all too easy to hit that $50 mark when you see the selection they have to offer! Or find Oliver’s Candies on Amazon – new this year!
Want to see how it’s all done? Oliver’s offers private tours of their candy-coated operations by appointment, so you can see the progression from cocoa bean to casing. It’s a fun peek into the process (think Lucy and Ethel in the candy factory, but with more precision and less chaos!).
In short, you’ve got to visit this small-town candy shop with BIG flavor. The love and care they put into their products are as tangible as the chocolate scent that fills the air.
Check out the Oliver’s website for photos, orders, recipes, trivia questions, and video. And don’t forget to check their social channels on Facebook or Twitter for coupons, special offers, giveaways, and early warnings about approaching “candy holidays.”
To learn more visit www.VisitGeneseeNY.com.
