Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Downtown: A Taste of Ocean City, NJ Tradition

Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Downtown Introduce

For generations of New Jersey residents, a trip to the Jersey Shore, particularly Ocean City, is incomplete without a taste of classic salt water taffy. While the famous Shriver's original store has been an iconic fixture on the Boardwalk since 1898, the **Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Downtown** location on Asbury Avenue extends this sweet, century-old tradition to the heart of Ocean City's vibrant shopping district. This downtown store allows locals and visitors to easily access the time-honored confections that have made Shriver's a beloved New Jersey institution.

Shriver's began its life as a restaurant, ice cream, and candy store, founded by William Shriver. It holds the distinction of being the oldest business on the Ocean City Boardwalk. In 1959, the business was purchased by a family who were also owners of the Dairy Maid Confectionery Company. Three generations later, the same family proudly owns and operates the business, ensuring that the legacy of quality, homemade Salt Water Taffy and Fudge continues. The opening of the downtown location on Asbury Avenue reinforces the commitment to making their sweets accessible to the community, supplementing the main Boardwalk store which also serves as a factory where the taffy and other treats are made.

This downtown location serves as a perfect stop for those spending time away from the beach and boardwalk bustle, offering the same renowned products in a convenient, year-round location. It maintains the friendly, professional, and slightly nostalgic atmosphere that Shore businesses are famous for, connecting the rich past of Ocean City's sweet-making heritage with the present-day consumer seeking a taste of authentic Jersey Shore flavor. The business has sold an estimated 1.1 billion pieces of salt water taffy over the years, a testament to its enduring popularity and the consistency of its recipe.

The store's long history means its products have become synonymous with the New Jersey beach experience. While the name "Salt Water Taffy" may suggest otherwise, the candy does not contain any actual salt water; it’s a chewy, sweet confection that originated in Atlantic City in the late 19th century and was perfected and popularized right here on the Jersey Shore. Shriver’s is committed to upholding this tradition, making it a reliable source for an essential piece of Jersey Shore culture.

### Location and Accessibility

Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Downtown is centrally located within the charming and pedestrian-friendly Ocean City downtown shopping district.

The address is: **921 Asbury Ave Unit A, Ocean City, NJ 08226, USA**.

The store is situated on Asbury Avenue, which is known for its concentration of local shops, boutiques, and eateries, making it easily reachable for anyone visiting or residing in Ocean City. Unlike the Boardwalk location, which may involve navigating beach crowds, the downtown store offers a more traditional retail setting. Public street parking, which may include metered spots and paid lots, is generally available nearby within the downtown grid, although accessibility varies by season and time of day. This location is particularly convenient for shoppers and those looking for a quick and easy stop for their sweet cravings while exploring the business hub of Ocean City, distinct from the amusement and beach activities of the Boardwalk. It is important for patrons to note that the primary, and oldest, Shriver's location is on the Boardwalk, but this downtown spot provides all the same high-quality products.

### Services Offered

The downtown Shriver's location offers a wide variety of services centered around their specialty confections, ensuring customers can enjoy their favorite treats in many forms.

Retail Sales of **Salt Water Taffy**: The store features a huge selection of the signature product, including traditional, special, and gourmet flavors. Shriver's boasts over 47 distinct flavors of salt water taffy, including classics like Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Licorice, and Banana, alongside innovative options.
Retail Sales of **Homemade Fudge**: Customers can purchase a selection of fresh, hand-made fudge, which is crafted in old-fashioned copper kettles. Popular flavors include vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, and combination varieties. The larger, main factory store makes up to 10 batches a day and offers 30–40 different flavors seasonally.
**Specialty Confections**: In addition to the main offerings, the store sells other fine sweets and homemade treats, such as macaroons, assorted chocolates, mint rolls, jams, and jellies.
**Gifts and Towers**: Various pre-packaged gift boxes, towers, party packs, and baskets are available, making it easy to purchase a quintessential Jersey Shore souvenir or a present for a special occasion.
**Shipping Services**: The ability to ship their candy anywhere in the United States is a crucial service, allowing customers who have returned home to continue enjoying a taste of the Shore or send a sweet gift to loved ones.
**Sugar-Free Options**: For customers with dietary considerations, the store provides a selection of sugar-free salt water taffy flavors.

### Features / Highlights

Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Downtown, as part of the larger Shriver's legacy, is a place rich in history, quality, and distinctive characteristics that make it a local highlight.

**Ocean City's Oldest Business**: While the downtown shop is a newer extension, it represents a business that has been a cornerstone of Ocean City, NJ, since 1898—the oldest continuously operating business on the Boardwalk.
**Family-Owned and Operated**: The business has been run by the same family for three generations since 1959, demonstrating a deep commitment to tradition and quality.
**Extensive Flavor Selection**: With over 47 flavors of Salt Water Taffy, including special, gourmet, and sugar-free options, the variety is one of the most significant draws, ensuring a flavor for every palate.
**Made Fresh on Premises (at main facility)**: The entire Shriver's brand is renowned because its main Boardwalk location houses a working factory where customers can watch the famous taffy being made, a feature that speaks directly to the freshness and authenticity of the product sold at all their locations, including the downtown store.
**Jersey Shore Icon**: Shriver's has gained national recognition, having been featured on major media outlets like Food Network and the Travel Channel, cementing its status as a must-try New Jersey confection.
**Year-Round Accessibility**: The downtown location, in particular, helps ensure that the sweet treats are available year-round, not just during the peak summer season, catering to Ocean City's permanent residents and off-season visitors.

### Contact Information

To connect with Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Downtown for inquiries about their downtown Asbury Avenue location, products, or shipping, please use the following information:

Address: 921 Asbury Ave Unit A, Ocean City, NJ 08226, USA

Phone: (877) 668-2339 (Toll-Free)

Mobile Phone: +1 877-668-2339

It is advised to call for current operating hours, as they may vary seasonally.

### What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge Downtown means selecting a piece of New Jersey history and a guaranteed high-quality confectionary experience. What makes this store truly worth choosing, especially for New Jersey locals and frequent Shore visitors, is the blend of convenience, tradition, and uncompromising product excellence. The downtown location provides easy access to the exact same recipes and quality that have been perfected over more than a century. The sheer variety of flavors in both the salt water taffy and the creamy, handmade fudge is unparalleled, making it a perfect spot to pick up an assortment for a party, a personalized gift, or simply a treat for yourself.

Furthermore, supporting Shriver's is supporting the longest-running business in Ocean City, a family-run operation that contributes significantly to the unique, nostalgic character of the Jersey Shore. Their commitment to making fresh products in-house distinguishes them from mass-produced competitors. Whether you are looking for the familiar comfort of a classic vanilla taffy, a seasonal fudge flavor, or a distinctive gift box to send a taste of the shore to someone out of state, this downtown candy store represents the sweet, enduring spirit of Ocean City, NJ, and is a mandatory stop for any New Jerseyan with a sweet tooth. The knowledge that you are enjoying a treat that has delighted generations since 1898 adds an unmatched layer of value and tradition to every bite.