The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in treats. When family and friends from out-of-town stop by for a visit and ask where to go locally to satisfy a sweet tooth, direct them toward any of the following shops, or better yet, go with them to enjoy the best candy the Metro area offers.
Bakers Candies
831 S. Baker St., Greenwood, NE 68366
402.789.2700
bakerscandies.com
Halfway between Omaha and Lincoln on Highway 6 is the Bakers Candy Factory Outlet, a family-run company that makes chocolate meltaways (which earned their name because they melt away when held on the tongue). The color-coded, foil-wrapped candies are considered a local treasure, making this a great stop for visitors who want a sweet taste of Nebraska. Other snacks can be bought at the outlet, but it’s the chocolates most people come to try.
Chocolat Abeille
421 S. 11th St.
402.315.9006
chocolatabeille.com
Chocolat Abeille, translated from French into English, means, “Chocolate Honeybee,” which is a suitable name for this Old Market shop where customers can sample artisan chocolates, enjoy an afternoon tea service, sip hot chocolate, or buy honey from local beehives. The owners frequently incorporate the honey from their personal hives into the shop’s handcrafted chocolate creations, many of which are true works of art. This store is as good a choice for buying holiday gifts as it is for taking visiting relatives while they’re in town.
Chocolaterie Stam
7474 Towne Center Parkway, No. 123
402.933.7826
stamchocolateomaha.com
Step through the doors of this chocolatier nestled in the Shadow Lake mall in Papillion and prepare to feel transported to somewhere other than a shopping mall in a Midwest suburb. The ornate decor of the store nicely complements the rows of chocolates and array of gelato available. Despite its unique look, Chocolaterie Stam isn’t a humble little shop but instead one branch of a larger brand scattered throughout the Midwest.
The Cordial Cherry
The Shops of Legacy,
16939 Wright Plaza, No. 143
402.679.3011
thecordialcherry.com
The Cordial Cherry is one Omaha business that can boast inclusion on one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” lists (2013). The Cordial Cherry doesn’t merely offer chocolate; they offer a chocolate experience. Nationwide attention to this locally owned business can likely be credited to the intricate designer chocolate art they create, often seasonal.
Old Market Candy Shop
1005 Howard St.
402.344.8846
oldmarketcandy.com
Handmade chocolate and fudge take the spotlight in this Old Market candy shop alongside the impressive collection of retro candy. This candy shop has been in business since the late 1970s, making it no surprise that it has reached iconic status among Omaha locals. Walk into the Old Market Candy Shop and enjoy the delightful assault on the senses.
See’s Candies
700 S. 72nd St.
402.397.6100
chocolateshops.sees.com/ne/omaha
Get two visitor must-sees out of the way in one trip by visiting See’s Candies, located inside Nebraska Furniture Mart. Visitors will be torn between checking out the offerings of this sweet shop or wandering the Mart. This shop is one of hundreds around the United States but still features the classic black-and-white kitchen tile decorations reminiscent of Mary See’s home kitchen where the candies were first made.
This article first appeared in the November/December 2020 issue of Omaha Magazine. Click here to subscribe to the print edition.