Looking for the best handmade chocolates in Plymouth? Life happens, and chocolate definitely helps. When you need a sweet escape or a thoughtful gift, there’s one place in downtown Plymouth that’s been perfecting the art of candy making for over 70 years. Kemnitz Fine Candies delivers the kind of quality and care that only comes from generations of expertise and passion.
A Sweet Legacy Started in a Basement
The story of Kemnitz Fine Candies began when George and Betty Kemnitz started making chocolates in their basement. What began as a small operation quickly grew into something special. By the late 1950s, they moved their storefront to 896 W Ann Arbor Trail in downtown Plymouth, where it still operates today.
When George and Betty retired in 1969, they passed the business along with all the original recipes and equipment to Ken and Marie Swain. The tradition continued when their granddaughter, Cindy Smith, took over in 1999. After decades of dedicated service, Cindy and her husband Everett retired in early 2022, and the Collick family purchased the shop that April, ensuring this Plymouth treasure continues to serve the community.
What Makes Their Candy So Special
Walk into this old-fashioned candy store, and you’ll find shelves lined with colorful hard candies and cases filled with handcrafted chocolate treats. Everything is made by hand right in downtown Plymouth using those time-tested recipes from 1951.
Customer favorites include:
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Cherry Cordials – The shop’s specialty features a delicious cherry surrounded by clear liquid, no cream, wrapped in smooth chocolate
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Pecan Delites – Similar to turtles, these combine pecans, caramel, and chocolate
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Pecan Bark – Customers call it the best in the country
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Chocolate Assortments – Available in 15-piece and 31-piece boxes
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Seasonal Treats – From chocolate bunnies at Easter to Christmas goodies
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Hard Candies – Classic favorites lining the walls
For those exploring what else the area has to offer, you can check articles about Plymouth for more local favorites and community guides.
Why Plymouth Loves This Candy Shop
This isn’t just another candy store near me search result. Kemnitz Fine Candies represents something deeper: a commitment to quality, tradition, and community. Locals have been making this shop part of their family celebrations for seven decades. Whether it’s filling Easter baskets, hosting holiday parties, or simply treating themselves on a Wednesday afternoon, Plymouth residents know where to find the good stuff.
The shop maintains that authentic, narrow storefront charm, where friendly employees help you select the perfect treats. Every piece of chocolate tells a story of craftsmanship and care.
Supporting Small Business in Plymouth
When you buy handmade chocolates in Plymouth, Michigan, from a shop like Kemnitz, you’re doing more than satisfying your sweet tooth. You’re supporting local jobs, preserving traditions, and keeping downtown vibrant. Small businesses form the backbone of communities, creating the character and connections that make a place feel like home.
Family-owned candy shops like Kemnitz contribute to Plymouth’s identity. They sponsor local events, employ neighbors, and create gathering spaces where memories are made. Every cherry cordial purchased helps ensure this piece of Plymouth history continues for future generations.
Visit This Plymouth Candy Institution
Ready to taste what 73 years of candy-making expertise delivers? Stop by Kemnitz Fine Candies at 896 W Ann Arbor Trail in downtown Plymouth. Call ahead at (734) 453-0480 to check current hours, as this popular shop maintains limited availability.
Whether you’re shopping for gifts or treating yourself, you’ll discover why locals have trusted this handcrafted chocolate shop since 1951. Pick up a box of those famous cherry cordials and taste the difference that comes from recipes perfected over generations.
Sources: kemnitzfinecandies.com, yelp.com, Kemnitz Fine Candies Facebook Page, Kemnitz Fine Candies Instagram Page
Header Image Source: kemnitzfinecandies.com
