The second you walk through the doors of this massive old-school candy store, the smell of chocolate hits you like a wave.
Glass cases overflow with handmade treats, shelves are stacked with colorful sweets, and every corner feels packed with something sugary you forgot even existed.
It’s the kind of place where adults suddenly start acting like excited kids in a candy aisle.
You can load up on classic candies, grab fresh chocolate treats, and explore a historic factory building while you’re there.
Whether you’re looking for a fun day trip with serious dessert potential, this place delivers big-time nostalgia and enough chocolate to keep you happy for weeks.
Where Is It?
The Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store is located in downtown Lititz a small Lancaster County town about 20 minutes from Lancaster.
You’ll find it inside the historic Wilbur Chocolate Factory building at 45 North Broad Street, right in the middle of Lititz’s walkable main street area.
It’s about a 1 hour and 25 minute drive from Philadelphia, around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Baltimore, and roughly 2 hours and 50 minutes from New York City.
About
Walking into the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store feels like stepping straight into candy heaven.
This famous Lititz chocolate shop sits inside the historic Wilbur Chocolate Factory building, where chocolate production dates back to the late 1800s.
The Wilbur Candy Company was founded in nearby Philadelphia in 1865 before moving operations to Lititz in 1930, and the town has basically been obsessed with chocolate ever since.
The store is best known for Wilbur Buds, which were introduced in 1894 and look surprisingly similar to Hershey’s Kisses.
In fact, Wilbur Buds actually came first by more than a decade.
These little milk chocolate drops are still the star of the show, and you can buy them by the bag, in gift tins, or mixed with dark chocolate versions.
The second you walk inside, you’ll smell warm chocolate in the air.
Glass cases are packed with handcrafted chocolates, chocolate-covered pretzels, peanut butter melts, caramel treats, fudge, truffles, and giant chocolate bars.
There are shelves loaded with old-fashioned candies too, including gummies, candy sticks, and nostalgic sweets that’ll probably remind you of childhood road trips and movie theater candy runs.
One of the coolest things about the store is the candy wall.
Rows and rows of colorful treats stretch across the shop, and it’s almost impossible not to start filling bags with random favorites.
You can grab chocolate-covered espresso beans, malt balls, saltwater taffy, and seasonal treats depending on the time of year.
The shop also sells tons of Pennsylvania-made goodies and Wilbur-themed gifts.
You’ll find hot chocolate mixes, chocolate sauces, baking supplies, mugs, T-shirts, stuffed animals, and souvenir tins covered in vintage Wilbur branding.
Around the holidays, the entire place turns into a chocolate-packed wonderland with special gift boxes, giant chocolate figures, and festive candy displays everywhere you look.
Even though chocolate is the main event, the building itself is part of the experience.
The massive brick factory has been one of Lititz’s most recognizable landmarks for decades.
You can still see parts of the old factory setup, and the historic details give the store way more personality than a regular candy shop.
It’s a fun little stop that gives you a peek into Lititz’s long chocolate-making history without taking up your whole day.
The best part is that this isn’t one of those places where you just browse for five minutes and leave.
You’ll probably spend way longer than expected staring at candy shelves, debating which chocolates to try, and walking out with way more treats than originally planned.
Know Before You Go
The Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store is open daily, with hours as follows:
| Sunday | 10 am–4 pm |
| Monday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–6 pm |
However, hours can change seasonally and around holidays, so it’s smart to check the official Wilbur Chocolate website before heading out.
Plan to leave with chocolate.
A lot of chocolate.
Nobody walks into Wilbur Chocolate planning to buy “just one thing” and actually sticks to that plan.
Bring a cooler bag if you’re visiting during the summer.
Pennsylvania heat and chocolate are not exactly best friends, especially if you’re planning a longer road trip afterward.
Weekends can get especially busy, particularly during fall festivals, Christmas shopping season, and summer weekends when tourists pack downtown Lititz.
If you want a quieter experience, weekday mornings are usually your best bet.
Parking is available throughout downtown Lititz, including street parking and nearby public lots within a short walk of the store.
Lititz is an extremely walkable town, so once you park, you can easily spend a few hours exploring the area on foot.
If you love coffee with your chocolate fix, stop by Dosie Dough just a couple minutes away for homemade doughnuts and coffee.
For lunch, Bulls Head Public House is one of the most popular spots in town and is known for its massive beer list and British pub food.
Appalachian Brewing Company also has a location nearby with burgers, sandwiches, and house-made craft beer.
One of the best nearby attractions is Lititz Springs Park, located less than a 5-minute walk from the candy store.
This park has walking paths, duck ponds, gazebos, and the famous Lititz Springs.
If you visit in the summer, you might catch one of the town’s concerts or community events in the park.
You should also check out the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery while you’re in town.
It’s only about a 10-minute walk from Wilbur Chocolate and claims the title of America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, founded in 1861.
You can even twist your own pretzel during one of the bakery tours.
If you’re visiting during the holidays, downtown Lititz goes all out with Christmas lights, decorated storefronts, and seasonal events that make the entire area feel extra festive.
Fall is another great time to visit thanks to cooler weather and Lancaster County’s colorful autumn scenery.
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