Young's has been a part of Philadelphia so long that it is literally a historical landmark -- the interior of the old-fashioned candy store is registered with the Smithsonian. Amazingly, aside from a stint as an ice cream shop in the '20s, the store hasn't changed much over its 100-year existence. Outside, signs advertise "kettle-fresh peanut brittle." Inside, the store resembles the candy shop from Willy Wonka; hard candies of every color fill glass jars, and chocolates cover the counters. "We thought about modernizing," says Harry Young, the owner (and the original owner's grandson), "but we had no time to close down."
Perhaps what is most intriguing about the shop is that the Young family hand-makes all of their chocolates and 19 flavors of hard candies. A full line of chocolate-covered sweets stock the store, from raisins to pecan and cashew clusters, as well as boxed chocolates. Prices are varied: the jelly turkeys sell for $5.95 a pound, while the butter crunch sells for $12.95 a pound. However, the customer favorites are the butter creams and chocolate straws, which make the store famous, according to Young. The butter creams are chocolate shells filled with a butter-based filling, and have that delicious, melt-in-your-mouth quality that only homemade chocolate can have. The chocolate straws, however, are a different innovation: hard candy surrounding a chocolate center. Ask Young about what the candy is like and he'll let you see for yourself with a free sample.
Seasonal candies are also abound in the store. "Go Eagles" chocolate-marshmallow footballs fill the glass shelves (for $1.25 each) and chocolate-covered marshmallow turkeys accompany them. Scarecrows and pumpkins on the walls seem to welcome the autumn, and the Youngs intend to do the same for the winter. Around Christmas, hand-spun candy canes arrive, as well as their specialty clear toys -- the transparent candies made in toy-shaped molds are a hit for the holiday season.
Candy-making has clearly been a large part of Young's life. The shop has been open since 1897, and he and his family used to live above it. A grandfatherly figure, Young reminisces to his customers about growing up in Philadelphia; he even shows off his grade school picture from 1941. Personal touches like these explain why so many customers return. Coming down to Young's Candies is a treat in more ways than one. Regardless of what you purchase, you're sure to satisfy your sweet tooth craving.
