Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen
Handmade fudge, brittle and chocolate on Main Street since 1973
The short answer
Candy worth the detour
Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen has been making sweets in Helen since 1973, when the Jones family opened the shop. The kitchen is still handmade: fudge, brittle, toffee, truffles and chocolate-dipped treats made on site, then boxed up at the counter.
The shop's own website sorts the case into chocolate (barks, creams, clusters, chocolate-covered cookies and truffles), fudge in cream-and-butter and slab styles, brittle, toffee, snappers and ready-made gift assortments. Plan on leaving with a box.
Two Main Street locations
There are two addresses. The retail store is on North Main Street in the middle of the shopping blocks, and the factory is on South Main Street, where the candy is produced. Both share one phone number and similar hours, and the shop says you can watch candy being made at the physical locations during opening hours.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Main store | 8651 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545 | Mon-Thu and Sun 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-9 PM (may vary by season) |
| Factory | 8078 S Main St, Helen, GA 30545 | Similar hours; call 706-878-2443 to confirm |
What to buy
Fudge
Cream-and-butter fudge and slab fudge are the headliners. A slice or two travels well in a car.
Brittle and toffee
Crunchy and buttery, and sturdier than chocolate on a warm day in the car.
Truffles and chocolate bark
Better for gifts. Ask for a box if you're bringing something back for the cabin host or a neighbor.
Gift assortments
The shop sells ready-made assortments, and it ships if you'd rather not carry a box home.
Plan your sweet stop
A weekday morning is the easiest time to browse; weekends and Oktoberfest are busier everywhere on Main Street. Park once and walk: the store is on the same block as some of the German import shops. Our parking guide explains where the free lots are.
Pair it with lunch at a Bavarian restaurant, then walk off the fudge along the river. The downtown shopping guide maps the loop.
Three ways to get the candy
The shop's website lists chocolate, fudge, barks, brittle, toffee, truffles, chocolate-covered cookies, clusters, pralines, caramel apples, taffy and seasonal items. How you take it home is up to you.
| Option | Details | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Buy in person | Main store, 8651 N Main St, and the factory, 8078 S Main St | Both under (706) 878-2443 |
| Pick up | In-store pickup is offered | Order on the shop's website first |
| Ship it | Shipping across the USA | Chocolate orders go with extra ice packs in warm weather |
Fall and holiday timing
Oktoberfest keeps Main Street busy nightly through November 1, 2026, and the shop's hours run until 8 or 9 PM, so an after-dinner stop works. The Lighting of the Village is Friday, November 27, 5 to 7 PM at Riverside Park, and the Christmas Market follows on November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6 (10 AM to 5 PM), with sweets and treats among its offerings, per the Helen Chamber. A weekday morning is the quietest time to browse.
Getting there and parking
The main store is on North Main Street and the factory is on South Main Street. Helen has no meters or garages; use the free city lots east of Main Street or a private lot with a posted rate, and see the parking guide. Our desserts guide pairs the candy kitchen with Hofer's tortes.
The candy kitchen on Main Street
Fudge in the display case
Candy being made by hand
Quick questions
How long has Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen been open?
The shop says it was founded in 1973 by the Jones family.
What are the hours?
The main store lists 9 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and 9 AM to 9 PM Friday and Saturday, with seasonal variation. Call 706-878-2443 to confirm.
Can I watch the candy being made?
The shop says visitors can watch the process at its locations during operating hours. Production is more active on some days than others, so ask when you arrive.
Do they ship?
Yes. The shop's website has a shipping page and sells assortments for delivery.
Can I pick up an online order in the store?
Yes. The shop's website offers in-store pickup as well as shipping.
What else does the shop sell besides fudge?
Its website lists brittle, toffee, truffles, barks, pralines, caramel apples, taffy, chocolate-covered cookies, clusters and seasonal items.
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