A red ribbon on a candy box can start a family tradition in Ohio. This chocolate maker has been wrapping gifts that way for about a century.
The shelves hold chocolate-covered caramels, cherries, and even potato chips. Samples are part of the fun, so you can taste before you choose.
I like a candy shop that feels like a neighborhood landmark. I believe the best ones make you want to buy a box for yourself and one for a friend.
So what does a century of chocolate look like on a single city street? And which box would you grab first?
A Candy Landmark Waiting On Wayne Avenue
Esther Price Candies sits at 1709 Wayne Ave, Dayton, OH 45410, and it is a candy store that Daytonians treat as a local landmark. Drivers pass it for years before stopping, and plenty of people say they wish they had stopped sooner.
The shop sells chocolates, caramels, old-fashioned pound candy, and small gifts. That mix makes it more than a quick stop for a single treat.
For Ohioans, the appeal is simple. A famous chocolate name is sitting in a regular Dayton neighborhood, and the door is open to anyone who wants to wander in.
Think of it as a day-trip target for anyone within driving distance. Dayton is an easy detour from much of southwest Ohio, and the reward is a bag of something sweet.
Skip the gas station candy aisle for this one.
The store also reads as a gift destination, which fits the red-ribbon reputation. People buy boxes here for birthdays, thank-yous, and holidays, and plenty of them ship boxes to friends who live far away.
Roughly A Century Of Red Ribbons
Nearly one hundred years in business is a long run for any candy maker. Esther Price Candies has built that history in Dayton, and the shop is often described as a community fixture.
One visitor calls it a century in business, and a 100th anniversary box has even been part of the brand’s story. Those details show how much pride goes into the name.
The red ribbon is the signature touch. A box wrapped that way tells the person receiving it that someone planned ahead.
Families have passed the habit down. Some shoppers say their parents and grandparents grew up on this candy, and now they bring it home from trips back to Ohio.
That kind of loyalty is hard to fake. A brand does not become a gift tradition by accident, and Esther Price has had decades to earn it.
Even a first-time buyer can feel that history on the shelves. The packaging, the seasonal displays, and the classic candies all point backward while still looking fresh.
Dark Chocolate Caramels Get The Spotlight
Caramels draw some of the loudest praise here. Dark chocolate covered caramels are among the most mentioned items, and one shopper was happy just to pick up a single box of them.
Sea salt caramels and dark chocolate turtles also earn fans. People who live far from Ohio say these are the treats they send to friends.
The appeal is easy to understand. Chocolate and caramel are a classic pair, and a local maker has had plenty of time to perfect the combination.
If you are new to the shop, caramels make a smart starting point. They travel well, they look good in a gift box, and they give you a fair read on the house style.
Chocolate covered cherries are another favorite, mentioned by shoppers who return for them. Some say the cherries are their top pick.
Between caramels, turtles, and cherries, it is hard to leave empty-handed. Even a small box can turn a regular afternoon into a treat day.
Yes, There Are Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
Salty meets sweet on the shelf here. Chocolate covered potato chips are one of the more talked-about items at the shop, and they fit the title of this article perfectly.
It is the kind of treat that makes you grin at the display. A snack from the pantry gets a candy-shop upgrade.
Curious shoppers can try samples, which helps if you are unsure about the idea. A small taste is a low-risk way to decide whether chips and chocolate belong together.
The shop also offers white chocolate options. That gives people who skip dark or milk chocolate something to look at.
Variety is a big part of the charm. Shoppers mention the candy selection often, and the shelves seem built for browsing slowly.
Bring a friend who likes to argue about flavors. You will have plenty to debate before you reach the register.
Free Samples Make Choosing Easier
Samples may be the smartest feature in the whole shop. Free tastes are mentioned again and again, and they turn a purchase into a guided tasting.
One shopper says you can sample before you buy. Another says they tried chocolates they never expected to enjoy so much.
That helps when the shelves are crowded with choices. A taste can settle a debate faster than any label.
It also lowers the pressure for first-timers. You do not need to know the brand to find a favorite.
Friendly staff get plenty of credit too. They are the most mentioned topic about the store, and shoppers say employees help people find exactly the box they want.
Take your time with the samples, then pick one box to share and one to keep. That plan works for most households.
Easter Eggs, Valentines, And Holiday Boxes
Holidays are where this shop really shows off. Easter eggs are among the most mentioned items, and seasonal displays are part of the store’s decoration.
One visitor describes the store as bright and decorated for the season. Another mentions Mother’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas as times when the shelves fill with themed treats.
Valentine’s Day looks like a busy stretch. A shopper buying for his wife says staff helped him find the right box and suggested chocolate covered strawberries.
The shop is a handy gift stop for those last-minute needs. A ribbon-tied box looks thoughtful even when the plan came together quickly.
Seasonal shopping also gives locals a reason to return. The selection shifts with the calendar, so every trip can feel a little different.
Plan ahead for popular holidays when you can. A busy store is a good sign, but shorter visits are easier on everyone.
Sugar-Free Picks And Old-Fashioned Pound Candy
Not everyone wants the same kind of sweet. This store keeps that in mind with sugar-free selections alongside its classic chocolates.
One shopper says they had to go sugar free this year and still love the candy. That is a helpful note for anyone shopping for a family member with dietary needs.
Old-fashioned pound candy is also on offer, which adds a nostalgic corner to the store. It sits next to locally made chocolates and caramels.
Small gifts round out the shelves. If candy is not the whole plan, there are other items to look through.
One caution applies. Some shoppers note that certain candies are sold by the box rather than mixed individually, so plan your gift choices with that in mind.
Check labels for ingredients if you have allergies or restrictions. The staff are friendly and ready to answer questions.
A Bright, Friendly Store For Browsers And Gift Hunters
The store itself gets high marks for mood. Visitors describe it as beautiful, bright, and clean, with candies displayed in plenty of tempting ways.
The layout is called nice and easy to browse. That matters when you are trying to decide among so many boxes.
Staff keep things moving even when the shop is busy. One visitor says the team got him in and out quickly during a rush.
The vibe suits gift buyers, families, and people who like to browse. Some say they did a little happy dance when they walked in.
Out-of-town visitors seem to enjoy it too. Some return to Dayton and make the shop a first stop.
If you like a store with personality, this one delivers. The chocolates are the star, but the setting adds a lot.
Hours, Parking Plans, And A Soft Verdict
The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM. Saturday hours run from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday is closed.
The address is 1709 Wayne Ave in Dayton, Ohio. It is close to neighborhoods like Kettering, and one visitor says they drove past it for years on trips to family.
Plan a little time for samples and browsing. Holiday weeks may be busier, so allow extra minutes then.
Shipping is another option. One shopper who lives far away says their orders have always arrived well.
Not every experience is perfect. A few shoppers have raised concerns about specific orders, and it is wise to check your box and contact the shop if something seems off.
Still, the overall picture is warm. For Ohioans who want a local sweet stop with history, this Dayton shop is worth a visit.
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