Food

Candy Capitals of the U.S. Named and Massachusetts Ranks Sweet 9th

Got a sweet tooth? You’re in luck! A new study just dropped, and it’s all about candy. The top candy capitals in the U.S. have been revealed, and Massachusetts landed the ninth spot. Sweet, right? Price-tracking website Pricelsto analyzed the locations of 23,667 candy stores across the US and compared them to state populations to find out which states have the most candy stores per 100,000 people.  So, who’s got the biggest candy craving in America? That title goes to Vermont, where you'll find 12.2 candy stores per 100,000 people. And what’s the cherry on top? Vermont's got Middlebury Sweets, a candy store and a motel. Yes, you read that right – you can sleep next to the candy. Sliding into second place is New Hampshire. This state is home to Chutters, which boasts the world’s longest candy counter at a whopping 112 feet. It’s practically an Olympic event walking down the aisle! Maine grabs third with 9.74 candy stores per 100,000 people. Needham fans, rejoice – you can thank Seavey’s Sweets for creating this sugar-chocolate-potato concoction. Yep, potatoes! New York, with its towering 1,782 candy stores (second only to California), takes fourth place. If you’re ever in NYC, swing by Economy Candy, serving up sugary goodness since 1937. Massachusetts isn't far behind. With 7.54 candy stores per 100,000 residents, we’re surrounded by plenty of sweet spots. One must-visit? Penny Candy, in Sharon, home to over 1,000 types of treats. You can basically have a candy buffet. And don’t forget about Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois – they’ve all earned their rightful spots on the top 10 candy capitals list. Why does all this matter? According to the folks at Pricelisto, candy is pure nostalgia. Whether it's Halloween, trick-or-treating, or simply enjoying your favorite local shop, candy stores bring out the kid in all of us. So next time you’re craving something sweet, hit up your nearest candy shop. Massachusetts might be ninth on the list, but we are going strong in the sweet game.