Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

Came in as usual for stocking stuffers. Asked at register where the bathroom was. Lady rolled her eyes at me, & said loudly, "toward the back."

Whispered I'd been searching, and was sorry, but just couldn't find it. Asked if there was a sign, any way to identify it? Exasperated sigh: "Just go back there! It's right there!"

Embarrassing, weird, unhelpful. Another, kind employee, like most folks there, helped us).

Returned, told cashier the bathroom hadn't been easy to find (not mentioning it was dirty & gross!; nothing like the front: ewww), & asked her to be kinder & more patient w/customers, especially in a candy shop at Christmas. My mistake.

She doubled-down on her hostility, instead of any apology, empathy or professionalism, repeating "I was taking money; I work at the register; that's my job. I was taking the money."

She had a friend there who (in my phone call later), took the phone, claiming to be a "regional supervisor," but I'm not sure: This friend appeared, in the store, to be a Gen-X-aged adult, but had such a highly-affected, teenager vocal-fry going on, and so much sophomoric attitude, that basic communication was difficult.

Instead of listening/responding, this person cut me off repeatedly to defend--& double-down on--the cashier's rudeness, weirdly blaming pur family. Sounded more like when a cousin picks up the phone to mess with customers for fun than like someone managing a retail business;

I don't know. The customer isn't "always right," but they deserve to be treated like a human, ffs. I'd called to find out when that cashier might not be around, so it could feel safe & warm & fun--like every other experience we've ever had there!--to go back & do Christmas shopping. Especially, I wanted to find out when it might feel non-hostile/creepy to come with our kids.

Has it changed ownership, or management, or something? Used to be a highlight of Christmas/Easter...

The expression "Kid in the Candy Shop" probably started from here... if it didnt, the sugar high and unblinking eyes must have started the moment the cashier rang here and candy wrappers were being torn through. This is just a fun place to just walk through and remember the old candies you used to eat as a kid. I have to admit, the inflatable T-Rex dancing at the door and trying to bring you in on a hot summer day made me feel bad for them. I also was completely and utterly amused. So dancing T-Rex = eye bait for me.

If you have a sweet tooth or a sour tooth or a mildly sweet tooth, you will find something here. You can find EVERYTHING... from old style English imported toffees to high end Chicago made Vosges chocolate. I almost feel like its a condensed version of Willy Wonka factory seeing how the candy is literally towering over me into the 2nd story. There is NO nooks or crannies not filled with some sort of sweets. Also considering the huge vast amount of candy here and how they had to import most things, it was pretty reasonably priced.

One thing I did find quite amazing is their ice cream parlor and fresh made chocolates that sits beside the retail candy area. LOOK AT THE GROUND... you'll see an incredible penny mosaic of an ice cream at the door and the design continues through the area towards the ice cream area. I think I must have stared in amazement for a good 20 seconds. I did end up trying a bit of the ice cream and I can definitely see the appeal towards kids. Creamy, sugary, with combinations that are unique.

If I'm ever in the area and having a sugar itch to scratch, I'll be back... even if the Happy Bunny candy box says "You Go Girl and...

Nice sized candy shop within the Strip District. I've visited the one in Cuyahoga Falls, OH; this one is double the size and has way more offerings.

The $5 candy buffet is fun. Pack one of their boxes full of select gummies, hard candies, gums, and yogurt covered pretzels. The box is small, just enough for a taste test.

Ice cream counter is all right. There's around 20 or so flavors. It's slightly costlier than what I'm used to; at least it tasted good. It wasn't anything spectacular, and there's no seating inside for a hot day (it melts fast).

Pops/sodas: There's a collection. Few imports, which is meh. Has the standard pop shop stuff - glass bottles, ginger beer, weird flavors, decent tasting teas. White Grapefruit Bamboo (iirc) Pepsi was refreshing.

Candy: Have fun. There's a lot. From nostalgic to UK faves. It's everywhere.

Merch: Some fun merch such as "dirty" (NSFW) socks, board games, little knick knacks, and PGH branded merch.

Do I recommend? Sure. The candy buffet is worth it. I wish there were way more imports. It's a...