A candy business that started in one woman’s kitchen now has its own factory built right around her old home. That alone made me grin. The chocolates still come in a gold box tied with a red ribbon.
The founder sold her candy door to door at first. Today, about 120 people help make the chocolates, and much of the work is still done by hand.
I love that this Ohio candy maker never chased fancy trends. Instead, it kept the original recipes and leaned on local milk and butter. That kind of loyalty feels rare.
This year marks a full century of sweets. I can’t imagine a better excuse to grab a box and celebrate. I’d love to sample a few of these classic chocolates and discover which sweet treat becomes my favorite.
1. A Kitchen Hobby Turned Into A Century-Long Sweet Story
Back in 1926, Esther Price began making candy in her own kitchen in Dayton. She didn’t have a storefront, so she sold her treats door to door.
Esther Price Candies grew from that humble start into a true Ohio favorite. As demand climbed, she built a factory around her home on Wayne Avenue.
That detail still makes me smile. Most businesses move away from their roots, but this one literally grew around them.
The first official Esther Price store opened on Wayne Avenue in 1952. That spot became the anchor for everything that followed.
Esther sold the company in 1976 to Jim Day and Ralph Schmidt. Today, the business is led by CEO Doug Dressman, who is Jim Day’s son-in-law.
So the family feel never really faded. It simply passed to new hands that kept the same spirit going.
Now the company is celebrating its 100th year in 2026. A hundred years is a long time for any shop, let alone one built on caramel and cream centers.
Knowing this backstory makes every box feel a little more special. You’re tasting a recipe with deep Dayton roots.
2. That Gold Box With The Red Ribbon Says It All
Gift wrap is optional when the box already looks this good. Esther Price Candies packs its chocolates in a gold box tied with a red ribbon.
That look is easy to spot on a holiday table. It’s simple, classic, and instantly recognizable to fans across Ohio.
I like how the packaging does half the gifting work for you. Hand someone that gold box, and they know something good waits inside.
The ribbon also signals tradition. Plenty of brands change their design every few years, but this one has stuck with its signature style.
Here’s a practical tip for gift-givers. Grab an extra box when you shop, because birthdays and thank-you moments tend to sneak up fast.
The shop offers chocolates for nearly every season, too. That means the gold box works for spring holidays, winter celebrations, and plain old Tuesdays.
Some gifts get tossed aside after the wrapping comes off. This one tends to get guarded like treasure.
Honestly, it might be the most cheerful box in Dayton. Few things say celebration quite like gold and red stacked with chocolate.
3. Creams, Caramels, And Cherries Will Test Your Willpower
Opera Creams. Fudge Creams. Peanut Butter Creams.
Coconut Creams.
That’s just the cream lineup at Esther Price Candies. Choosing one feels a bit like picking a favorite child.
Caramel fans get plenty of love, too. The menu includes Caramel Pecans and Sea Salt Caramels, both classic choices for anyone who likes a chewy bite.
Cherries have their own spotlight here. You can pick Traditional Cherries or Fudge Cherries, depending on how rich you want things.
Assorted boxes are a smart move for first-timers. They let you sample several styles before committing to a full box of one favorite.
Single varieties work better once you know what you love. Then you never have to share the good pieces with anyone.
The shop sorts its candies into handy groups like creams, caramels, crunchy and chewy chocolates, and fruit and nuts. That makes browsing much easier.
My advice? Pick one familiar flavor and one you’ve never tried. You might discover a new obsession on your first visit.
4. Nut Lovers Have Some Serious Decisions To Make
Pecans get a lot of attention at this shop. They show up in Pecan Toppers, Pecan Clusters, and plain chocolate-covered pecans.
Almonds aren’t left out either. Esther Price Candies makes Almond Toppers plus chocolate-covered almonds and cashews.
The company says it uses fancy-grade almonds, pecans, cashews, and cherries. That’s a quality detail I appreciate, since nuts can make or break a chocolate.
Not into nuts? The crunchy section still has fun picks like Honeycomb Chips.
Brittle and fudge round out the lineup. Both feel like old-school candy shop staples that never go out of style.
Coconut Haystacks deserve a mention as well. They bring a chewy texture that stands apart from the nutty options.
A smart plan is to mix textures in your haul. Pair something crunchy with something smooth so every bite feels a little different.
Just be careful about leaving these on the kitchen counter. Clusters tend to disappear quickly when family members discover them.
5. Buckeyes Prove This Shop Is Ohio Through And Through
Few treats shout Ohio louder than a buckeye. The peanut butter and chocolate candy is named after the state tree.
Naturally, Esther Price Candies includes Buckeyes on its menu. It would almost feel wrong if a Dayton chocolate maker skipped them.
These make a great gift for friends who moved out of state. A taste of home can mean a lot when you’re far away.
Ohio pride shows up in the ingredients, too. The company uses locally produced milk and butter in its candy.
That local touch matters to me. It ties a century-old business to the farms and people around it.
Solid Chocolate Domes offer a simpler pick for chocolate purists. Sometimes you just want pure chocolate without any filling to distract you.
Planning a game-day party? Buckeyes fit right in on a snack table and look festive without extra effort.
They also make a fun introduction for visitors trying Ohio candy for the first time. One bite usually explains the hype.
6. About 120 People Keep The Handmade Magic Going
Automation arrived at the factory in 2020. Even so, much of the chocolate production at Esther Price Candies is still done by hand.
A dedicated team works at the Wayne Avenue factory in Dayton, keeping the company’s century-old candy-making traditions alive.
I believe handmade candy carries a certain charm. You know real people cared about each batch.
The company says its original recipes have stayed in place over the decades. That consistency explains why families keep coming back across generations.
Blending old methods with a few modern tools seems smart. It helps the shop keep up with demand without losing its personality.
Think about how many holidays these workers prepare for each year. Spring, fall, and winter seasons must keep that factory humming.
When you open a box, it’s nice to remember the effort behind it. Every neat row of chocolates started in a local kitchen-style tradition.
It’s a quiet reminder that great candy takes patience. Shortcuts rarely make it into a 100-year story.
7. The Wayne Avenue Store Is Where The Sweetness Starts
Want the freshest connection to the source? Head to the main store, which shares a home with the company’s headquarters and production facility.
You’ll find Esther Price Candies at 1709 Wayne Ave, Dayton, OH 45410. It’s the same avenue where the founder built her factory around her home.
Shopping here feels like visiting the heart of the brand. The candy is made in the same building complex.
The store offers in-store shopping and in-store pickup. Curbside pickup is available for call-in orders, which is handy on busy days.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM. Saturday hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, and the shop stays closed Sundays.
That Sunday closure trips people up. Plan your candy run earlier in the weekend so you don’t arrive to locked doors.
Early weekday visits work well if you like a calmer pace. You’ll have more time to browse without rushing.
Bring a list if you’re shopping for others. It’s easy to forget someone once the chocolate distracts you.
8. Seasonal Treats And Sugar-Free Picks Keep Everyone Included
Holidays and chocolate are best friends. Esther Price Candies leans into that with seasonal candies throughout the year.
That gives you a reason to stop back as the calendar changes. Each season brings fresh ideas for gifts and treats.
Sugar-free products are part of the lineup as well. I love that people watching their sugar can still join the fun.
Nobody wants to feel left out of a candy celebration. Having sugar-free options makes sharing with family much easier.
Single-serve options are another smart touch. They’re perfect when you want a small treat instead of a whole box.
These little picks also make great stocking stuffers or lunchbox surprises. Small size, big smile.
Here’s a planning tip. Shop ahead of big holidays, since gift buying tends to ramp up as those dates approach.
Mixing a seasonal box with a sugar-free one covers a lot of people at once. Your holiday shopping list just got shorter.
9. Spotting Those Gold Boxes Far Beyond Dayton Is Easy
From one kitchen to seven dedicated retail stores and a much wider network of grocery and wholesale partners. That growth still impresses me every time I think about it.
Esther Price Candies has expanded its reach beyond Dayton through retail stores and grocery partnerships. Its seven dedicated retail stores are located in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas, while its chocolates reach shoppers through additional retailers.
You can find the candy in over 100 Kroger stores throughout Ohio. That makes a last-minute gift run much simpler.
The company also has more than 100 wholesale accounts. So those gold boxes pop up in more places than you might expect.
I like how the brand grew without losing its hometown feel. The factory never left Wayne Avenue, even as the reach expanded.
For travelers, that’s good news. You might stumble on a box while visiting a neighboring state.
Still, a trip to the Dayton store feels like the full experience. It’s where the story began and where the candy is made.
After 100 years, this Ohio treasure keeps finding new fans. Here’s to the next century of gold boxes and red ribbons.
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