Jilly’s Candy Factory Puts Spooky Spin On Boardwalk Treats

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Whether you’re searching for salt water taffy or a box of homemade fudge, there’s certainly no shortage of candy stores to choose from on the Ocean City Boardwalk — even in the off-season. Jilly’s Candy Factory is among the stores that serves sweets all year-round, and around Halloween, fall-themed treats line the store's shelves.

“Our biggest staple item that we’re probably most known for is our candy apples,” said co-owner Jody Levchuk. The store offers customized caramel and candy apples in packages of six. The sweet Granny Smith apples can be dressed up even more with chocolate, nuts, sprinkles or candy.

“There’s so many things you can do with it and that’s the best part of it. If someone wants orange caramel apples with spider web looking things on it, we’ll do it," Levchuk said.

Classics like candy corn and flavors of sweet maple and pumpkin spice fudge are also on the store’s shelves this time of year.

The store carries Halloween-themed Squishmallow plush toys, which have proved to be one of the store's most sought out "treats" for kids this year.

Though it’s officially the off-season, Jilly’s Candy Factory is one of the few stores still open in Ocean City and stays open year-round on weekends during the winter.

“September and early October is the best time in Ocean City,” Levchuk said. “It’s a different environment in the off-season because it’s not so crowded, but it’s super enjoyable."

Among the many Halloween festivities planned in Ocean City, including the Halloween parade and the house decorating contest, Jilly’s Arcade is hosting a trunk or treat the day before Halloween.

Kids are invited to come dressed in their Halloween costumes to the parking lot of Jilly’s Arcade on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. People can sign up online if they want to decorate their cars and give out candy. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume and best decorated car.

“Last year was the first one we did. We only thought of it last year because we thought it would be nice to offer kids something to do because the Halloween parade was canceled and probably nine out of ten other things in the world were canceled,” Levchuk recalled. “People asked us if we were doing it again this year, so we’re like 'You know what, let’s do it again!'”

Jilly’s Candy Factory at 1168 Boardwalk is among seven stores throughout Ocean City that showcase the "Jilly’s" name.

Jilly's Candy Factory opened in 2018, but before that Levchuk’s family opened Jilly’s French Fry Factory in 2001 and Jilly’s Ice Cream Factory nearly 40 years ago in 1984.

“We’ve been in the food business for a while, but I’ve personally been in the candy business since I could ever remember because I’ve loved candy since I could ever remember,” Levchuk said.

Levchuk’s newest store downtown, "Jilly's On Asbury" is open daily year-round, serving as a hub for all of the Jilly's Stores with everything from candy to gifts for sale.

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