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Some kids in Merchantville once spent their after-school pennies at the same candy counter their grandkids visit today. That counter has been open for more than a century, and it is still run by a family that makes much of its candy by hand.
It is a place where a handful of coins can still feel like a big deal, and where a box of chocolates is treated like a true gift. Keep reading to learn its story, what to buy, when to go, and how to dodge the holiday crowds.
A Century-Old Sweet Spot on West Maple
Small towns often keep their best treasures on their main streets, and Merchantville is no exception.
Aunt Charlotte’s Candies sits at 5 W Maple Ave, Merchantville, NJ 08109, in Camden County, New Jersey. It is an old-fashioned candy store that makes many of its sweets in-house and sells gifts alongside them.
The shop dates back to 1920. That makes it one of the longest-running family businesses a South Jersey family can visit on a lazy Saturday.
The building itself gets plenty of attention. Its charming, authentic look stands out from modern chain stores, and people who stumble on it by chance often stop just to learn its history.
Merchantville is an easy drive for much of South Jersey, and Cherry Hill sits right next door. That makes the shop a simple half-day outing rather than a big road trip.
About that headline promise of nickel treats: the shop is known for keeping old-school candy within reach of a kid’s allowance. Exact prices on small items can change, so it is smart to bring a few coins and see what the bins offer that day.
Either way, a pocket full of change and a little curiosity are the right starting points here.
Penny Candy Memories and Family Roots
Ask longtime Merchantville residents about this shop, and the stories start with penny candy.
People in their sixties remember stopping in after school as kids to pick out a few pieces with loose change. Others recall tagging along with a grandmother and begging for a treat before heading home.
Those memories are a big part of why the place matters. Many former locals make a point of coming back every time they return to visit family.
The store is still family-run, which helps explain why it feels so steady over the decades. The Oakford name comes up among folks with deep town roots, tying the business to generations of Merchantville neighbors.
Some people who grew up here say the shop looks much the way they remember it. Same friendly faces behind the counter, same colorful displays, same feeling of a special trip.
That kind of continuity is rare. Plenty of candy shops from the 1920s are long gone, replaced by big-box aisles and online orders.
Here, a parent can walk in with a child and show them the exact counter where they once counted out coins. Few local spots can offer a family history lesson that ends with a paper bag of sweets.
Chocolate Made Right Behind the Counter
Here is the secret behind the long holiday lines: much of the chocolate is made in-house.
Workers in the back keep busy replenishing trays throughout the day. That steady restocking means the cases stay full even when the store is packed.
Milk, dark, and white chocolate are all on offer. The dark chocolate earns especially loyal fans, and many locals call it their go-to pick.
Hand-dipped treats make up a big part of the lineup. Chocolate-covered pretzels, potato chips, marshmallows, and rice crispy treats all show up on shelves.
Truffles and filled chocolate eggs are also popular. The filled eggs, in particular, win over people who return just to grab more.
Seasonal items add another layer. Candy-covered marshmallows appear in fall, and mint melts shaped like flowers and leaves are a quiet favorite with regulars.
Irish Potatoes, a classic Philadelphia-area candy, also have their fans here. They are a fun pick for anyone who wants a true regional treat.
The takeaway is simple. This is not just a store that resells candy, but a working kitchen with a storefront attached.
Bins, Brittle, and Fruit Slices Galore
Chocolate may get the spotlight, but the rest of the candy selection deserves a second lap around the room.
Fruit slices are a standout. Kids love choosing their own flavors, and staff members are patient while little ones make big decisions.
Licorice allsorts have a loyal following too. Gummies, brittle in several styles, and marzipan round out the options.
One small heads-up on marzipan: it may be sold on its own rather than mixed into assortments. It is easy to grab a few kinds separately and build your own mix.
The overall variety is huge. The shop has a reputation for stocking nearly every type of candy a person can name, which makes it a fun place for picky eaters and adventurous snackers alike.
For families on a budget, these loose candies are where pocket change goes furthest. Kids can choose a few pieces of this and that without parents spending much.
Prices are generally considered reasonable for the quality. Candy costs have climbed everywhere in recent years, but this shop still feels fair to many local shoppers.
Bring a small bag, set a coin limit, and let the kids treat it like a treasure hunt.
Plush Friends and Gift Shelves
Not everything here goes in your mouth.
Stuffed animals fill the store, and they are one of the things people mention most. They make easy add-ons for birthday gifts, Easter baskets, or a just-because surprise.
There are also decorative dishes, snow globe style trinkets, and other knickknacks. The gift selection feels thoughtfully chosen rather than random.
Premade baskets help shoppers in a hurry. They cover a range of occasions, so grabbing a ready-to-go present is simple.
Mother’s Day chocolate sets come in attractive packaging. Many shoppers leave with more than they planned, with half the haul meant for in-laws and relatives.
Gift wrapping is another perk. Boxed candy has been wrapped for free during the holidays, and staff often ask if you want your purchase wrapped.
That service policy may vary by season, so it is worth asking at the register. Either way, the finished packages tend to look polished enough to hand over without a second step at home.
For grandparents looking for a gift with a story, this is a handy stop. A box from a 1920 family shop carries more meaning than something grabbed at a checkout aisle.
The Easter Rush, Explained
Every spring, the shop turns into one of the busiest rooms in Merchantville.
Easter is its biggest moment by far. The holiday selection is the most talked-about topic among shoppers, and it is easy to see why.
Chocolate bunnies come in nearly every shape and size. Other Easter characters line the shelves, available in milk, dark, and white chocolate.
The store aims to be a one-stop shop for basket building. Candy, plush animals, and premade baskets all sit under one roof.
The catch is the crowd. The space can get packed shoulder to shoulder before Easter, and checkout lines grow long.
Many loyal fans say the wait is worth it. Others prefer to shop earlier in the season to skip the busiest days.
A smart plan is to go on a weekday morning soon after the 9:30 AM opening, a week or two before the holiday. Fewer people means more time to browse and less time in line.
Families who time it right get the full Easter display without the elbow-to-elbow scramble. Those who wait until the final weekend should pack patience along with the coins.
Friendly Faces and a Free Little Extra
Out of everything people talk about here, kindness tops the list.
The staff is mentioned far more than any single candy. Workers are known for being warm, helpful, and especially patient with children.
That patience shows up in small ways. An employee might wait while a young child picks fruit slice flavors one by one, treating the choice like it matters.
Staff members also go above and beyond on special orders. Shoppers often leave grateful for help with large purchases or tricky gift requests.
Even on hectic days, the team tends to stay calm. When a customer gets short-tempered, workers have been known to handle things with grace.
Free samples and small treats at the register sometimes show up as a bonus. It is a sweet extra that many people remember long after the trip.
These little gestures are part of what keeps families coming back across generations. A shop can copy recipes, but it is much harder to copy a friendly culture built over a hundred years.
For parents hoping to teach kids about supporting local businesses, this is a good example. The people behind the counter are the real reason the place works.
Hours, Numbers, and Bag Tips
A little planning makes a candy run much smoother.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It is closed on Sundays, so weekend trips need to happen on Saturday.
Hours can change around holidays, so a quick call or website check before driving over is a good idea. The website is auntcharlottescandy.com.
During busy times, look for the take-a-number machine near the front door. Grab a ticket right away, because the checkout process can feel crowded and a bit unclear when the store is full.
There is not always a display showing which number is being served. Staying close to the counter helps you avoid missing your turn.
Bring your own bag. New Jersey no longer hands out single-use plastic bags, and while the shop has some reusable ones, carrying your own saves time.
Christmas can be as hectic as Easter. Mid-December late mornings are known to get extremely packed, with only a couple of registers open.
The rest of the year is much calmer. A regular Tuesday or Wednesday is ideal for families who want to browse at their own pace.
Worth the Trip, Coins and All
So, does a century-old candy counter still earn a spot on the weekend plan? For most New Jersey families, the answer looks like yes.
The shop holds a 4.8-star standing from more than 660 shoppers, which is impressive for any small business. That kind of steady praise usually comes from doing the basics well for a long time.
It works for many kinds of outings. Parents can let kids spend loose change, couples can pick up chocolates for each other, and grandparents can share a piece of their own childhood.
People even fly in from as far as Arizona and stop by whenever they visit South Jersey relatives. That says a lot about a shop on a quiet Merchantville street.
Go on a weekday if you can. Skip the final rush before Easter and Christmas unless you enjoy a crowd.
Bring a reusable bag and a small budget for the kids. Leave a little room for a gift box too, since few presents beat chocolates from a shop that has been at it since 1920.
In the end, the best souvenir here might be the habit itself. One visit has a way of turning into a family tradition.
