Ready for some real ghost stories to go along with the Halloween candy? Shane Confectionery in Philadelphia’s Old City, one of the country’s oldest candy shops, has the season covered.
The limited-edition Haunted Philadelphia Halloween box (only 125 available) holds 14 chocolates and confections, two each of pieces inspired by local hauntings and legends.
“Shane Confectionery received a range of experiences from funny to horrifying,” the company’s Director of Design Pavia Burroughs said. “We were really excited when we started getting replies with people’s ghost stories.”
Every box includes an illustrated magazine telling the stories and history behind each haunting plus a beeswax ghost candle from Philadelphia Bee Co. Pre-orders are open, with pickup starting Oct. 5. Order at shanecandies.com or visit the shop at 110 Market Street, right next to the famous Franklin Fountain ice cream parlor.
“The entries that weren’t selected were either too short and too hard to make candy around, or a fictional short story — which is not what we were looking for,” Burroughs said. “The box will represent real experiences, as well as some favorite legends.”
For those who don’t want to commit to the full experience, the individual pieces from the assortment will be available in Shane’s chocolate case and can be added to in-store custom assortments.
There are other Halloween-season treats at Shane Confectionery, including Mr. Pumpkin Chocolate Figure, Galvani’s Electric Frogs, Cinnamon and Chili Ghost Bon Bons, Chocolate Septa Rats, Memento Mori Chocolate Medallion, Honey Sesame Bon Bons, Spicy Cinnamon Chili Drinking Chocolate Mix, Chocolate dipped Honeycomb Candy and more.
Next door at Franklin Fountain, pair the Haunted chocolates with apple pie ice cream, Great Pumpkin Sundae, Hot Cider, Caramel Apple Float, Caramel Apple Pie Shake or any of the shop’s homemade flavors.
While the whole box is being kept a secret until release, one of the most notable pieces included is a Sparkling Champagne Pate de Fruit in honor of a phantom party in a former hotel.
“Its made with prosecco (sparkling wine) and popping sugar — like Pop Rocks — and it has a delightful kind of sticky texture, somewhere between fruit based pate de fruit and a Turkish delight,” said confectionery Manager Laurel Burmeister said. “Its a piece we have been wanting to do for a long time, I think our head chocolate maker Kevin Paschall came up with the idea initially, and he was the one to create it. We’re thinking of bringing it back for New Year’s.”
Shane, established in 1863, is the oldest continuously-run confectionery and candy shop in the United States. The Shane family took over the business in 1911, installing elaborately carved woodwork, stained glass and curved windows to showcase the chocolates and confections made onsite.
In 2010, the business transitioned to the Berley Brothers, who live in Media and own the Franklin Fountain. Candies and chocolate continue to be made on-site, with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients, seasonal specialties and old-fashioned quality.