Critchley’s Candies – River Edge New Jersey

What a cute little shop this is! At first you might think it had originally been someone’s house, but as soon as you walk in you’ll realize it was...a church! For decades it was the Grace Lutheran church, but according to owner Steve Engleberg, it became a candy store in 1957.Happily, the vaulted ceiling and old light fixtures remain, and if the sight of all the delicious candies overwhelms you, you can rest a spell on one of the original wooden pews.

Known for their high quality chocolates, they’ve also got the largest selection of sugar-free candies in Bergen County. From heart shaped boxes of vanilla creams, to Easter bunnies and hand dipped fresh strawberries, they’re busy throughout the fall, winter and spring, traditionally closing for the season after Father’s Day. “A school teacher’s schedule” notes Steve, and sensible considering how quickly chocolate will melt in the summer sun. They open again after Labor Day in time for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

To offer the biggest selection of candies to his customers, Steve also carries a wide variety of items made elsewhere (think foil wrapped coins, jelly beans, and those bright pectin-based sweets the kids dig.) Heaped into barrels or in the enormous copper cauldrons once used for candy making, there’s something for every sweet tooth here. And while a bit difficult to navigate the streets to get into the side parking lot, the convoluted directions are worth it to visit this neighborhood candy shop.

Steve says if you mention Retro Roadmap you’ll get a discount - woo hoo!

Get your Instagram selfie with the giant jelly bean #retroroadmapNJ

There’s a big sale right before they close in June…stock up!