CONFECTIONS

Last night found me at my first of several Christmas gatherings. Speaking of candy shops yesterday.... I headed into Philly in the late morning and met a friend to go to one of Philly's best gems, to get a small gift  to take to the host. The storefront at 110 Market Street is actually a time machine. Don't believe it? See it for yourself.

I love that huge Krampus in the window! Even if your a member of CRUMS, Christmas, Resistance Underground Movement, I bet you'll be hard pressed not to feel the Christmas spirit here and feel like a kid again.  

 Step inside Shane's, and you'll be transported back to 1863, a time when the city was keen on sugar — at one point, even controlling 90% of the nation's sugar industry due to some prime port real estate in the sugar trade. At the turn of the 20th century, the city was brimming with chocolatiers and candy manufacturers; High Street — now Market Street — was chock-full of them, and Shane Confectionery was one among them. After 153 years, it's now considered the oldest, continually-run candy shop in the country, and you better believe that it's treated as such. Brothers Ryan and Eric Berley brought the shop back to life in 2011, and since then, it's turned into somewhat of a secret Willy Wonka factory full of truffles, bonbons, gummies, clear toy candies, barks,  fudge, and all those treasures that are hard to find now. They also make about 85% of all the candy they sell.  The ever-so-friendly and remarkably knowledgeable staff  will be happy to answers all of your candy-questions, and you'll probably have many — there's a lot of ground to cover in a century-and-a-half. Make sure, especially during the colder months, you indulge in the Shane's city-best hot chocolate, expertly crafted in the backroom, speakeasy-like hot chocolate café. Boy was that good and rich!!!! I just loved the whole interior and the little vinatge displays always take me back to when my grandmother would take me to a candy shop when I was young. Something magical feeling.

I had to help myself to a piece of clear toy...It had been years.

Talking to one of the ladies there she told of how Philadelphia was definitely lucky in that there is a long confectionery history in Philadelphia. A lot of the great candy makers started here, like Wilbur and Hershey. They all started in Philadelphia before they moved out to different areas and sort of opened up more of a factory-style. But in Philadelphia there's probably less than 10 confectioners left, when there used to be hundreds. You would go every single block, there might be two or three confectioneries or confectionery-like premises. And, honestly, Shane's was always lucky. They're in a great location. They are right near the river, which would have been prime at the time. Being very close to ports, you have that first access to the sugar that's coming off the boats, which is your No. 1 ingredient. In a confectionery, you need to be close to your product, which is sugar.

How cute is the whole New Year's display? And check out that register. Now that is a nice touch and very chic and stylish! You can keep your technology.

It's really breathtaking when you walk in — the colors and all the candy, and it's floor to ceiling just antique jars, apothecary's and just colors and tastes and smells. It really draws you in and it's just a really friendly experience. It's candy, it's sweet. Everyone that walks in here is happy. You don't have troubles when you come into a candy store. It's all pleasure when you come in here. I also concluded I am definitely left behind from another time.