Sweet Pete's Candy — Restaurant in Jacksonville

What a wonderful local gem of a place! I was gifted this chocolate tour for two from my cousin and it did NOT disappoint. What a great treat to have brunch/lunch and take a stroll in downtown Jacksonville. Parked on a weekend so no toll costs, walked maybe a block on a warm sunny day to the building located on the corner. You can't miss the charming architecture and white house. With a front porch of good ole'days and the smell of sweets wafting towards you, one is transformed into being a child again. Your eyes will wonder and bounce around trying to figure out which way to go. You won't want to miss a single corner or floor. Yes, I saw an elevator near the stairs to the next levels. Take your time and look at all the wonderful sweets and old fashioned candies of an era gone by. Grab a basket for your purchases as you will be stronger than I if you make it out there without a purchase. From the delicious fudge, carmels, Big League Chews, licorish, jelly beans, chocolate covered malt balls, raisins and more! I loved the retro puzzles, the Pez candy and even the metal lunch boxes I used to have as a youth. Take your time and take a photo by the adorable decor for the season and add more memories to your photo album. The restaurant and soda ice cream shop is so charming, we will be back. I can't wait to ride our motorcycles up and grab a Sundae one afternoon. The food was spot on, fresh, service is friendly and helpful. Sit outside on the porch and feel the warmth of the sun and enjoy cool breezes if you so choose. My husband had the old fashioned root beer and he said it was pure and rich and legit! There is a level where you can step out above the kitchens and not only see the preparation of goodies, but get to smell the aromas wafting throughout. I really felt like I was in a scene in Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. Your going to love all the ceiling hanging decor, the variety of products for gifting or a treasure for yourself and the child in you. You can find stuffed animals, clothing, key chains, wall hanging nik-naks and souvenirs. There are checkout registers at the main level and second level. Staff is friendly and warm. I highly recommend everyone go visit, make a nice afternoon out of it and take out of town guests to when they come. I pray they stay around for many many more...

I am a local and have been to several candymaking classes at Sweet Pete’s. My first class filled half of the upstairs educational floor and had a lead educator and a demonstrator talk about science, taffy and candy making. The teachers engaged the students, took questions, and controlled the classroom. The energy was amazing. This was 10 years ago. After Covid the decorations were scaled back, the restaurant inside changed hands to a new company, and the staff is minimal. The candy is indeed stale. I was most disappointed in the candy making experience. This is the second time Peter the owner has taught a class to a group I’ve been in. I thought the first class with him was an off day, but I sincerely feel he is better talented at running an amazing candy store than teaching. He was not excited to teach. The class did not teach anything. He minimally talked through how to temper sugar into candy cane. There were no questions, half of us started playing on our phones, And then he finally asked the kids to come up and grab some candy cane and they can twist and make what they want at the tables. I was waiting for an assistant to pass out work surfaces, but no, we all had to roll our candy canes on a felt backed smooth tablecloth that had not been wiped down visually before we got there. There were no Christmas decorations on the top floor and the walls were dirty and scuffed. The bathroom was used with overflowing trash cans, and previous paint jobs showing on the walls. So much that my daughter asked me why they changed from pink paint to blue paint because she could see exposed pink paint where a touchup was not done. What’s so sad is I remember the top floor having a boutique toy shop and being decorated for Christmas. I remember the extra extravagant front porch decorated and a phenomenal themed restaurant. They even had a full educational team for classroom presentations. Peter, I really really love your candy shop and the idea of having this unique place in our community. Please hire an elementary teacher who is excited to be in the classroom and wants to engage with the class. You were not excited or engaging within the classroom and, sadly, my family, probably will not return...

Upon entering Sweet Pete's Candy Shop, one is immediately whisked away into a realm of sheer enchantment, where the decor doesn't just greet you; it embraces you with a warmth that coaxes an involuntary smile, as magical as the setting itself. It's a place that seems to have been plucked from the pages of a beloved childhood storybook and brought to life, with every corner meticulously designed to delight and surprise.

The candy, oh the candy! It's not merely "good"; it's a symphony of sugary excellence that dances upon the taste buds with a kind of fervor that can only be described as true candy craftsmanship. The selection is dizzying, a veritable treasure trove of sweet delights that promises—and delivers—joy to both the young and the young at heart.

But the magic of Sweet Pete's doesn't stop at its visual or gustatory delights. Here, candy making is not hidden away behind closed doors but proudly displayed like the art form it truly is. Watching the candy being crafted is a mesmerizing experience, a peek behind the curtain of this whimsical world that adds a layer of appreciation for the confections that are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat.

And let's not forget the heart and soul of Sweet Pete's: the employees. To call them "sweet" would be an understatement. They are the living embodiment of the shop's spirit—welcoming, passionate, and with a knack for making every visitor feel like the most important person in the room. Their kindness and genuine enthusiasm for what they do are the cherry on top of an already delightful experience.

In conclusion, Sweet Pete's Candy Shop is more than just a store; it's a destination. A place where the mundane is left at the door, replaced by a world of wonder and joy. Whether you're there for the candy, the spectacle, or the warmth of human kindness, Sweet Pete's delivers on all fronts, leaving you with a lingering sweetness that goes well beyond the...