Lucille's Own Make Candies

- 156 East Route 72, Manahawkin, NJ 08050

For generations of New Jersey residents and visitors heading to the Jersey Shore, Lucille's Own Make Candies in Manahawkin has been an essential and cherished stop. This establishment is much more than a candy store; it is a true piece of local history, proudly operating as an "old school", family-owned small business since its founding in 1927. The longevity and continuous commitment to quality are a testament to the initial vision of Carl and Lucille Eismann, who began handcrafting delectable confections with a foundation in artisanal candy-making.

Lucille’s stands out in the regional confectionery scene because virtually everything sold is genuinely “own make”—produced on-site in-house. This dedication to traditional methods and daily fresh production results in a distinct taste and quality that is difficult to replicate. The shop's reputation is built on classic, time-honored recipes, spanning a vast array of candies, from famous fruit slices to luxurious hand-dipped chocolates. The Manahawkin store, easily recognizable by its pastel pink building on Route 72, acts as the gateway to the Long Beach Island area, making it a mandatory ritual stop for families looking to start or end their Shore vacation with a sweet memory.

The entire operation is characterized by a dedication to its heritage. The business remains family-owned and operated, now spanning four generations, which ensures that the original care, expertise, and attention to detail instilled by Lucille decades ago continue in every batch. For the local New Jersey consumer, supporting Lucille's Own Make Candies is an act of supporting a local institution and a link to the state's rich history of coastal confectionery.

Lucille's Own Make Candies is strategically located on a main artery connecting the New Jersey mainland to the highly popular vacation destination of Long Beach Island (LBI). This prime positioning makes it a highly convenient stop for both local residents and seasonal traffic traveling to and from the Shore. Its physical presence is notable, ensuring high visibility for travelers.

The store's specific location is:

Contact Information:

• Address: 156 East Route 72, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, USA
• Phone: (609) 597-7300
• Mobile Phone: +1 609-597-7300

The accessibility of Lucille's is thoughtfully addressed to accommodate all visitors. The business offers two critical accessibility features, underscoring its commitment to serving the entire community and its visiting patrons. Specifically, the location features a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot. This consideration for easy access, combined with its position on a major highway, makes it a hassle-free stop. The store is designed for a Quick visit, allowing drivers and passengers on their way to or from LBI to easily pull over, quickly select their favorite treats, and continue their journey without significant delay. Furthermore, the acceptance of modern payment methods, including NFC mobile payments, alongside traditional credit and debit cards, streamlines the checkout process for maximum efficiency.

The services offered by Lucille's Own Make Candies are deeply rooted in traditional candy manufacturing and direct retail, focusing on providing high-quality, freshly made products to a large customer base that includes locals, vacationers, and wholesale buyers. The core service is the in-house creation and sale of a wide variety of "own make" confections.

• In-House Candy Manufacturing: The primary service is the creation of all chocolate and candy products on-site, ensuring unparalleled freshness, consistency, and a true homemade quality across their entire product line.
• Gourmet Confectionery Retail: Selling a massive selection of handmade treats, including famous fruit slices, numerous chocolate clusters (peanut, pecan, coconut), creams (vanilla buttercream, coconut cream), molasses sponge, nonpareils, and specialty mints.
• Fudge and Taffy Expertise: A high degree of specialization in homemade fudge and salt water taffy, capturing the essence of the traditional Jersey Shore candy experience with a commitment to quality.
• Convenient Pickup Options: Offering both In-store pickup and traditional In-store shopping, giving customers the flexibility to browse the selection or quickly retrieve a pre-ordered favorite.
• Onsite Services: The availability of Onsite services suggests staff are prepared to handle specialized needs such as large orders, gift wrapping, or product consultations during the in-store visit.
• Accepts Modern Payments: Ensuring a smooth transaction for all customers by accepting Credit cards, Debit cards, and modern touchless payment options like NFC mobile payments.
• Year-Round and Seasonal Specialties: Regularly featuring holiday specials, such as chocolate-dipped pretzels, caramel apples in the fall, and legendary chocolate-covered strawberries for specific events.

The features and highlights of Lucille's Own Make Candies stem from its long-standing history, its dedication to local production, and the exceptional quality of its most beloved treats. It is an establishment that has been nationally recognized for its excellence.

• Century-Old Tradition: Established in 1927 and operating for nearly 100 years, the store is a bona fide historical institution in South Jersey, attracting both locals and tourists who seek a genuine, old-school experience.
• Fourth-Generation Family Ownership: The business has been continuously operated by the same family for four generations, ensuring that traditional recipes and high standards are meticulously maintained.
• NJ’s "Best Candy Shop" Recognition: The store has been cited by various food outlets as among the best candy shops in New Jersey, underscoring its high reputation for quality and customer satisfaction.
• Legendary Specialties: Known regionally for specific signature items, including their delicious fruit slices, "legendary" chocolate-covered strawberries, homemade fudge, and authentic salt water taffy.
• Made On-Site Guarantee: A key promotional point is that all chocolates and candies are "made on site in house," guaranteeing freshness and a level of quality control superior to mass-produced alternatives.
• Gateway to the Shore Location: Situated on Route 72, it is a traditional "mandatory stop" for vacationing families on their way to or from Long Beach Island, integrating the shop into the fabric of the New Jersey summer experience.
• Community Focused Small Business: Operating as a small, independent business that often sponsors and supports local events, making it a core part of the Manahawkin community.

For New Jersey residents, choosing Lucille's Own Make Candies in Manahawkin is a choice that blends nostalgia, quality, and community support. It is worth choosing over other options for several compelling and unique reasons.

Firstly, the paramount reason to choose Lucille's is the assurance of homemade quality. In a market flooded with mass-produced sweets, this shop offers candies that are made daily using traditional methods. When customers choose their Double Dip Mint dark chocolates, fruit slices, or peanut clusters, they are buying a product that is not only delicious but also crafted with the experience of nearly a century of candy-making expertise. This commitment to in-house production truly sets them apart as a chocolate specialist and not just a retailer.

Secondly, the store’s deep historical and cultural ties to the Jersey Shore make it an experience, not just a purchase. Stopping at the pastel pink building is a family tradition for many, providing the perfect blend of seaside favorites like fudge and taffy with their specialized chocolate artistry. For any New Jersey user, supporting this business means investing in a fourth-generation, local small business that has proudly served the region since 1927. The convenience of its Route 72 location and the efforts made for full accessibility ensure that this piece of New Jersey sweet history is open and ready for a quick, delightful visit for everyone.

Lucille's Own Make Candies

156 East Route 72, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, USA