Top Ten Chocolate Companies in or Around the Cleveland Northeast Ohio Area

The Cleveland, Ohio area is blessed with so many wonderful things. We have beautiful season changes, one of the Great Lakes (Lake Erie), an Amish community, world-renown museums and much more. This area is truly diverse. Did you know that Cleveland and Northeast Ohio are home to many chocolate and candy makers? Come with me as I stroll through a list of some of the great places to get chocolate in Northeast Ohio. Next time you are in town be sure to stop by one or two or, at least, check them out on their websites.

Malley's Chocolates has been in Cleveland since 1935 making great chocolates and creamy ice creams. Malley's is currently enjoying the third generation of family ownership and has many local parlors to visit to enjoy their sweet treats. You can tour their facility at 13400 Brookpark Road in Cleveland or visit them at www.malleys.com.

Brandt's Candies is located in Willoughby, Ohio (in Lake County). The original owners started making their candies in 1948, and new owners took over in 2005. But have kept with the same high quality and desire to make the best chocolates. You will find cherry cordials, creams, molded chocolates, nuts, caramels and more at www.brandtscandies.com.

Harry London Chocolates has been in the Canton area since 1922 when Harry London left his job as a steelworker to make chocolates. They hold to a great European tradition of chocolate making. You can find truffles, buckeyes (a great Ohio treat!), pretzels and individual wrapped items at their store in Canton or at www.harrylondon.com.

Gorant Candies of Warren is a little bit out of the Northeast Ohio area, but have quite a following of chocolate lovers all over Cleveland. Many locals remember the chain of stores called the Yum Yum Tree, where Gorant Candies were sold. Unfortunately, there are no more Yum Yum Trees in the area, but you can enjoy their meltaways, nut mixes, mints, milk and dark chocolate at www.gorantcandiesofwarren.com. They also have three store locations in the Warren area.

Since we are a little bit out of the area, let's head to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. This stop is just a couple of hours from Northeast Ohio. Frank Sarris built his first candy shop in Canonsburg in 1963. In 1982, he and his son opened an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop. Sarris' Chocolates are some of the best chocolates I have had. Their store is a great stop if you are in the area. My husband and I visited just around Easter one year and we were amazed at the amount of Easter candies and decorations. Good times!! You can visit them at www.sarriscandies.com.

For almost 20 years, Hartville Chocolate has been creating wonderful chocolate treats and candies for the area. Hartville is south of Cleveland and not considered part of Northeast Ohio, but has great chocolates and candies nonetheless. You can visit them at www.dmpweb.net/hartvillechocolate.

The next few companies are close to my heart because they are located in or close to beautiful Geauga County in Northeast Ohio.

White House Chocolates and Candy Kitchen is located in Burton, Ohio. They make fabulous gourmet chocolates, sugar free varieties, fresh fudge and more. Chocolate covered strawberries are a favorite when in season, as well as chocolate covered apples in the fall. They also have an adorable gift shop. White House Chocolates has been family owned and operated since 1997. You can visit them at 14607 Kinsman Road, halfway between Burton and Middlefield.

The Buckeye Chocolate Company is located at 14646 Ravenna Road in Burton, Ohio. Buckeye Chocolates are so very good and dreamy. Brothers, Brian, Craig and Eric started the company in 2004. You will find milk and dark chocolates, brittle, fudge, kettle korn, truffles and more at their shop or you can visit their website at www.buckeyechocolate.com.

The next company does not make chocolates, but they make the BEST maple candies in the area. Richards Maple Products in Chardon has been making maple confections since 1910. You will find award winning maple syrups, as well as maple candy, maple spread and maple sugars. According to the Geauga Tourism Council, Geauga County is ranked #1 in maple syrup production in Ohio. You can be assured Richard's knows their maple goods. Visit them at 545 Water Street in Chardon or at www.richardsmapleproducts.com.

The last stop on the tour is not really a chocolate maker or even a candy maker, but something just as good. Cupcakes! This is my favorite cupcake store in the world and they are located in Hudson, Ohio. Since many of the products contain chocolate, I feel I can include them on this list. Main Street Cupcakes is located at 238 N. Main Street in Historic Hudson, Ohio. Quality ingredients and lots of love go into these confections. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by or give them a call at 330.342.0833.

I hope you have enjoyed this sweet tour of Cleveland and points east and south. I has been my pleasure to have enjoyed many treats from all of these companies and can safely say that any of them would be a great place to get a sweet treat for your sweet tooth. Enjoy!!