Rows Of Old-Fashioned Candy Fill The Shelves Inside This Converted Nebraska Warehouse

A brick building that once handled milk for a creamery now sells chocolate-covered bacon. It also hides a pinball arcade, a retro diner, and a private movie theater under the very same roof.

The candy alone could fill an afternoon. Shelves hold retro bars like Abba-Zaba and Zagnut, imported treats from Europe and Asia, and what’s billed as the biggest Jelly Belly lineup in Nebraska.

Fudge and chocolates come straight from an in-house candy kitchen.

I like how the place refuses to stay in one lane. Every doorway seems to open onto another room of antiques, vinyl records, rubber ducks, or movie memorabilia.

I can’t imagine leaving without at least one bag of something sweet. The real question is how long you can wander before your group starts sending search parties.

A Sugar-Packed Wonderland Sitting In Omaha’s Old Market

Candy stores usually fit in a single room. Hollywood Candy needs an entire historic building in downtown Omaha, and it still finds ways to fill every hallway.

The shop sits in the Old Market, the brick-lined district where Omaha keeps much of its old warehouse character. Strolling the neighborhood already feels like a step back, so a giant retro candy store fits right in.

Calling it a candy store is technically correct, but it undersells things a bit. Under one roof you’ll find bulk candy, a soda shop, a fifties-style diner, and a pinball arcade.

There’s also a private movie theater and a mercantile full of antiques, records, and movie memorabilia. Owner Larry Richling’s personal collections, including vintage lunch boxes and a huge Pez dispenser display, show up all over the building.

Browsing doesn’t cost a thing, which makes it an easy stop for families on a budget. You only pay for what lands in your bag or on your tray.

For a Nebraska outing that mixes nostalgia with a serious sugar supply, few places pack this much into one address. Just know that the word store barely covers it.

Milk Came Long Before The Gumdrops In This Old Brick Building

Long before anyone was weighing gummy bears here, this building served the dairy business. It was built in 1904 as part of the Fairmont Creamery, a big name in the early milk industry.

That history explains the size of the place. Creameries needed room for production and storage, and that roomy layout now gives candy, games, and antiques plenty of space to spread out.

The building went through several chapters after the creamery work ended. At one point it even housed a haunted attraction called The Asylum, which is a fun twist for a future candy shop.

Spooky season still has a home here, actually. A haunted house in the basement has been part of the fall lineup, so the building’s eerie past gets a seasonal encore.

The creamery name lives on inside, too. The Fairmont Mercantile, the antiques and collectibles section, borrows its name straight from the building’s dairy roots.

For Nebraskans who love seeing old warehouses get a second act, this one is a great example. The bones stayed put, and the purpose simply got a whole lot sweeter.

Retro Candy Bars You Forgot Still Exist Line These Aisles

Abba-Zaba and Zagnut are just the warm-up act. The shelves at Hollywood Candy stretch on with old-fashioned treats that many grocery stores quietly dropped years ago.

Current favorites share the aisles too, so nobody gets left out. A kid hunting for sour belts and a grandparent searching for a childhood bar can shop side by side.

Bulk candy is a big part of the fun here. You scoop what you want and weigh it yourself, which turns the whole trip into a small, sugary math lesson.

Jelly Belly fans should budget extra minutes. The shop claims the largest selection of Jelly Belly flavors in Nebraska, and that is a lot of tiny beans to consider.

Then there’s the Pez display, which deserves its own moment. The collection of dispensers is enormous, and it doubles as a trip through decades of cartoons and pop culture.

One practical tip helps here. Check the dates on packaged items before checkout, especially on the rarer retro candy that may not sell quickly.

After that, the only real challenge is restraint. Good luck with that one.

Homemade Fudge And Faraway Sweets Steal The Spotlight

Chocolate-covered bacon is a real thing here, and it comes from the shop’s own candy kitchen. Sweet and salty fans finally have a reason to celebrate.

The kitchen turns out homemade fudge and specialty chocolates. Peanut Butter Surprises are a signature treat, and they make a strong case for grabbing a box to share later.

Handmade sweets give the place a different feel from the packaged aisles. They connect the shop to old candy counters, where treats were made close by instead of shipped across the country.

Curious snackers can also take a little world tour without leaving Omaha. Shelves carry candy from Europe and the Far East, mixed in with imported snacks and drinks.

The international section isn’t the biggest part of the store. Still, it’s a fun spot for trying a candy bar you can’t pronounce yet.

Families can turn it into a tasting game at home. Everyone picks one unfamiliar treat, and the group votes on the winner.

Between the fudge and the imports, this corner may change your shopping list fast. That’s not a complaint.

A Fifties Diner And A Cooler Of Bottled Soda Keep The Party Going

Hundreds of glass bottles glow inside the big cooler at the Soda Shoppe. Somewhere between 150 and 200 varieties of soda pop wait there, from familiar brands to wonderfully odd ones.

Picking just one is harder than it sounds. Bottled soda used to feel like a special treat, and this wall brings back that feeling in a big way.

Hungry visitors can head to the Hollywood Diner, a retro spot styled after the fifties. Counter service keeps things simple, which suits a day that’s mostly about wandering.

The menu sticks to comfort classics like burgers, hot dogs, and fries. Nobody comes here for a salad, and honestly, the building doesn’t seem to expect it.

Dessert gets the old-fashioned treatment as well. Sundaes, banana splits, and thick milkshakes round out the menu, along with snow cones and a bright drink called Mermaid Water.

The diner’s hours can differ from the main store, so plan ahead if lunch matters. Stop by early if a burger is part of your strategy.

A milkshake and a bottle of rare root beer in one stop? That’s a strong afternoon.

Pinball Flippers And A Private Movie Screen Wait Around The Corner

Quarters suddenly become very valuable once you reach the Hollywood Pinball & Arcade. Dozens of working pinball machines line the room, along with classic arcade games.

Counts vary, but the collection runs well past sixty machines. That’s a lot of flippers, bumpers, and flashing lights for one candy shop to keep humming.

Some of the older tables show their age, which feels right for a vintage arcade. A slightly cranky machine is part of the classic pinball experience.

Parents may find themselves playing longer than the kids. Few things feel quite as nostalgic as chasing a high score with a pocket full of sour candy.

Just past the games sits the Hollywood Theater, a private screening space inside the building. It shows free movies regularly, so check ahead to see what’s playing during your trip.

The theater can also be rented for birthday parties and company events. A movie, a game room, and a candy store make a pretty convincing party package.

Not many Nebraska candy shops can say they come with a cinema attached. This one simply decided that sweets deserve a show.

Antiques, Rubber Ducks, And Life-Size Movie Characters Fill Every Nook

Somewhere between the soda wall and the pinball room, the building turns into a giant attic. The Fairmont Mercantile handles that part, with antiques, movie memorabilia, and vintage records.

Collectors can easily lose track of time flipping through vinyl. Others may get stuck staring at old lunch boxes from Larry Richling’s personal collection.

A giant wall of rubber ducks shows up too, for reasons nobody needs to explain. It’s colorful, slightly ridiculous, and very easy to photograph.

Life-size movie characters stand around the building like quiet greeters. A mock jail offers another photo stop, perfect for pretending your friend got caught with too much fudge.

Toys, stickers, clothing, music, and even a section for dog lovers fill other corners. A walk of fame also highlights well-known names who have stopped by over the years.

The mix suits a wide crowd. Families get plenty to point at, while couples and retirees can treat it like a laid-back museum with snacks.

Tight aisles and lots of stuff can feel busy for some shoppers. Take breaks between rooms, and enjoy the treasure hunt.

Give Yourself Extra Time Because This Sweet Maze Keeps Going

Plan on more time than you think you need. Hollywood Candy has so many rooms and hallways that a quick stop can easily turn into an hour or more.

You’ll find it at 1209 Jackson Street in Omaha, Nebraska, right in the Old Market. That makes it easy to pair with a stroll around the surrounding blocks.

The store opens every day of the week, starting late morning. Weekend evenings run a bit later, which helps if you want a dessert stop after dinner downtown.

Exploring is free, so it’s a budget-friendly outing until the fudge case wins you over. Prices on some candy run on the higher side, and not every item is clearly marked.

Downtown parking is nearby, and rates can be lower on certain weekdays. There’s a single-stall restroom on site, so plan breaks for the kids accordingly.

Bring a few quarters for the arcade. Bring patience for picking a soda, too.

For anyone who loves Nebraska’s repurposed buildings, this old creamery makes a sweet case for itself. Come for one candy bar, and you’ll probably leave with a bag, a record, and a pinball score.