This North Carolina Candy Shop Will Transport You Back To Childhood
I remember the first time I walked into a real candy shop as a kid, how the colors and smells made everything feel magical. That sense of wonder came rushing back the moment I stepped through the door of Opie’s Candy Store recently.
This North Carolina place isn’t just about sweets; it’s about reclaiming a piece of your past you didn’t know you missed. Located in the charming town of Mount Airy, this shop sits at 135 N Main St, Mt Airy, right in the heart of what inspired Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show.
Walking into Opie’s feels like stepping into a time machine powered by sugar and nostalgia. The red checkered tablecloths, vintage signs, and glass jars filled with colorful treats create an atmosphere that welcomes everyone.
Whether you’re eight or eighty, this candy store has something that will make you grin. I left with a bag full of goodies and a heart full of memories.
North Carolina truly holds treasures that make your heart smile and your taste buds dance with pure joy.
1. A Step Back Into Mayberry’s Hometown
Mount Airy isn’t just any small town in North Carolina. It’s the birthplace of Andy Griffith and the real life inspiration for the beloved television town of Mayberry.
Walking down Main Street feels like entering an episode of The Andy Griffith Show.
Opie’s Candy Store fits perfectly into this nostalgic setting. The shop captures the warmth and simplicity that made Mayberry so endearing to millions of viewers.
You can almost hear the whistling theme song as you browse the aisles.
Being located at 135 N Main St, Mt Airy, NC 27030, United States puts Opie’s right in the middle of all the Mayberry magic. Nearby you’ll find Floyd’s Barbershop and Snappy Lunch, creating a cluster of attractions that draw visitors from everywhere.
The town embraces its television heritage without feeling like a theme park.
Visiting Opie’s means experiencing more than just candy. You’re participating in a living piece of American pop culture history that continues to bring joy to new generations of fans and families alike.
2. Over 400 Varieties Of Pure Sweet Temptation
Walking into Opie’s and seeing more than 400 different candy options is like being a kid in, well, a candy store. The selection spans decades of confectionery history, from treats your grandparents loved to modern favorites your kids beg for.
Every corner reveals another delightful discovery.
The candy comes displayed in glass jars, barrels, and bins that invite you to scoop and fill your own bag. Chocolate covered raisins sit next to sour gummy worms.
Caramel cremes share space with atomic fireballs. The variety ensures nobody leaves empty handed or disappointed.
What impressed me most was how fresh everything tasted. The staff rotates inventory regularly, so you’re not getting stale candy that’s been sitting around for months.
Each piece delivers the flavor and texture it promises, making every bite worthwhile.
Pricing is reasonable too, especially considering the quality and selection. You can fill an eight ounce bag for around five dollars, which feels like a steal.
Whether you’re buying for yourself or filling party favor bags, the value matches the variety perfectly.
3. Hand Dipped Ice Cream That Dreams Are Made Of
Eighteen flavors of Ashby’s Sterling ice cream wait in the dipping cabinets, and choosing just one feels nearly impossible. The Amaretto Cherry caught my eye immediately, but so did the Carolina Peach and Apple Crisp.
Each flavor promises something special, and they all deliver.
The young woman who scooped my cone was generous with her portions. She packed the ice cream efficiently, creating a towering treat that didn’t topple over.
Her pleasant demeanor and helpful suggestions made the decision making process easier and more enjoyable.
That first taste of Amaretto Cherry was absolutely heavenly. The cherry flavor tasted real, not artificial, and the amaretto added a sophisticated sweetness that elevated the whole experience.
Several reviews mentioned the peach ice cream as the best they’d ever eaten, and I believe them.
The ice cream is fairly priced, especially considering the quality and portion size. You can enjoy your cone while sitting at one of the red checkered tables, watching episodes of The Andy Griffith Show that play throughout the store.
It’s comfort food in the most comforting environment imaginable.
4. Nostalgic Treats Your Grandparents Remember
Some candies never go out of style, and Opie’s keeps these classics alive for new generations to discover. Mary Janes, those chewy peanut butter taffy candies wrapped in yellow and red wax paper, line the shelves alongside other forgotten favorites.
Remember Squirrel Nut Zippers? They’re here too.
Big Hunk candy bars bring back memories for anyone who grew up in the sixties or seventies. These white nougat bars packed with peanuts require serious chewing commitment, but the flavor payoff makes every jaw workout worthwhile.
Finding them feels like discovering buried treasure.
Bubble gum cigarettes and candy cigarettes might seem controversial now, but they’re part of candy history. Opie’s stocks them as nostalgic novelties, not as products promoting anything harmful.
They remind older visitors of simpler times when candy came in every imaginable form.
What makes these old time treats special is how they connect generations. Grandparents can share their childhood favorites with grandchildren, creating sweet memories while enjoying sweet treats.
The candy becomes a conversation starter, a bridge across decades of change and progress.
5. Vintage Decor That Sets The Perfect Mood
Opie’s didn’t just stock old fashioned candy and call it a day. The owners created an environment that matches the merchandise perfectly, with vintage signs covering the walls and red checkered tablecloths on every table.
The decor tells its own story about simpler times.
A 1940s Coca Cola cooler sits in one corner, stocked with glass bottled sodas that taste better than their plastic bottled counterparts. Something about drinking soda from a cold glass bottle enhances the whole experience.
It feels more special, more intentional, more worth savoring.
The memorabilia isn’t random or cluttered. Each piece was chosen carefully to create a cohesive atmosphere that feels authentic rather than forced.
You’re not in a museum looking at artifacts behind glass; you’re in a living, breathing space that honors the past while serving the present.
Even the selfie spot in the back corner fits naturally into the overall design. It’s candy themed and Instagram worthy without feeling out of place or gimmicky.
The whole store balances nostalgia with modern sensibilities beautifully, creating something timeless rather than dated.
6. Staff Who Make Every Visit Special
The moment you walk through the door, someone greets you with genuine warmth. This isn’t corporate mandated friendliness; it’s real hospitality from people who care about your experience.
They remember regular customers and make newcomers feel like old friends immediately.
The staff members are knowledgeable about every product in the store. Ask about a specific candy from your childhood, and they’ll either know exactly where it is or help you search until you find it.
They offer suggestions based on your preferences without being pushy or sales focused.
What struck me most was their patience with children. Kids can be indecisive in candy stores, changing their minds repeatedly while parents grow increasingly frustrated.
The Opie’s team handles this with grace and humor, making the selection process fun rather than stressful for everyone involved.
Several reviews specifically praised individual staff members for going above and beyond. One mentioned an employee who was pleasant and efficient while scooping ice cream.
Another highlighted how the team creates memorable experiences through exceptional customer service. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re the standard at Opie’s.
7. Glass Bottle Sodas From Another Era
The 1940s Coke cooler at Opie’s isn’t just decorative. It’s functional and filled with glass bottled sodas that taste like they should.
There’s something magical about pulling a cold glass bottle from an antique cooler, popping the cap, and taking that first fizzy sip.
The selection includes classic Coca Cola products alongside regional favorites and specialty sodas you won’t find in regular grocery stores. Each bottle represents a piece of beverage history, a reminder of when soda came in returnable glass containers rather than disposable plastic ones.
Drinking from glass changes the experience completely. The weight feels substantial in your hand.
The temperature stays colder longer. Even the sound of the cap coming off creates anticipation that aluminum cans and plastic bottles can’t match.
Pairing a glass bottle soda with your candy selection creates the ultimate nostalgic snack combination. It’s what kids did in the fifties and sixties, and it still works perfectly today.
Some traditions endure because they simply can’t be improved upon, only appreciated and continued.
8. Gift Boxes That Spread The Sweetness
Sometimes you want to share the Opie’s experience with someone who can’t visit in person. The store offers beautifully arranged gift boxes and baskets that let you send sweetness anywhere.
These aren’t thrown together at the last minute; they’re thoughtfully curated collections.
The gift options work perfectly for birthdays, holidays, thank you presents, or just because occasions. You can customize the contents based on the recipient’s preferences, or trust the staff to create something appealing.
Either way, the presentation looks professional and generous.
What makes these gifts special is how they combine nostalgia with quality. You’re not sending a generic box of commercial chocolates.
You’re sharing handpicked treats that tell a story and create an experience. The recipient gets a taste of Mount Airy and Mayberry magic.
The packaging protects the candy during shipping while looking attractive enough to give directly without rewrapping. Ribbons, tissue paper, and decorative boxes show attention to detail that recipients notice and appreciate.
It’s gift giving done right, with care and creativity in every package.
9. A Community Gathering Place For All Ages
Opie’s serves as more than just a retail establishment. It’s become a community hub where locals and tourists mingle over shared love of sweets.
The tables encourage people to sit, relax, and enjoy their treats rather than rushing out the door.
Families make Opie’s part of their regular routines. Parents bring their children to pick out candy, just as their parents brought them decades ago.
These traditions create continuity across generations, giving families shared experiences and inside jokes about favorite treats.
The store welcomes everyone equally, from young children experiencing their first candy store visit to elderly folks reminiscing about their youth. Nobody feels out of place or unwelcome.
The atmosphere embraces diversity in age, background, and candy preferences without judgment.
Local residents appreciate having a business that contributes positively to downtown Mount Airy’s character. Opie’s draws visitors who also patronize neighboring shops and restaurants, creating economic benefits that ripple throughout the community.
It’s good business that’s also good citizenship, supporting the town while serving customers exceptionally well.
10. Extended Hours When You Need Them Most
During warmer months, Opie’s extends its operating hours to accommodate increased visitor traffic. Friday and Saturday evenings, the store stays open until seven, giving people time to stop by after dinner or other activities.
Sunday afternoons are also available for those weekend candy cravings.
The extended schedule shows the owners understand their customers’ needs and rhythms. Tourists visiting Mount Airy often pack their days with Mayberry attractions, and having evening hours means they don’t have to rush or skip Opie’s entirely.
Convenience matters, especially for families with children.
Even during regular hours, the schedule is generous. Opening at ten in the morning and staying open until five most weekdays gives locals and visitors plenty of opportunity to stop by.
The consistency helps people plan their visits without worrying about unexpected closures.
Being closed one day a week (Tuesday currently) is reasonable for a small business, especially one that clearly works hard during open hours. The staff deserves time off, and customers can easily plan around the single closure day.
The trade off for exceptional service during operating hours seems more than fair.
11. Prime Location Among Mayberry Attractions
Being situated at 135 N Main St, Mt Airy, NC 27030, United States puts Opie’s in the perfect spot for visitors exploring Mayberry themed attractions. You can get a haircut at Floyd’s Barbershop, grab a pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch, and load up on candy at Opie’s all within steps of each other.
This clustering of attractions makes downtown Mount Airy incredibly walkable and tourist friendly. You don’t need to drive between locations or consult GPS constantly.
Everything flows naturally from one stop to the next, creating a cohesive experience that feels organic rather than manufactured.
The location also benefits from foot traffic generated by neighboring businesses. People walking past on their way to other destinations often peek inside Opie’s out of curiosity and end up staying to shop.
The storefront is inviting and the displays visible from outside draw people in effectively.
Parking in downtown Mount Airy is relatively easy, another advantage of the location. You can find street parking or use nearby lots, then explore multiple attractions without moving your vehicle.
This accessibility removes barriers that might otherwise prevent visits.
12. Seasonal Specialties That Keep Things Fresh
Opie’s doesn’t rest on its regular inventory laurels. The store introduces seasonal specialties throughout the year, giving regular customers reasons to keep coming back.
Pecan pralines appear during holiday seasons, their buttery sweetness perfect for gift giving or personal indulgence.
Summer brings key lime taffy, a refreshing treat that captures the essence of warmer weather. The tangy sweetness provides a nice contrast to heavier chocolate options, and the flavor feels appropriately seasonal without being gimmicky.
These limited time offerings create anticipation and urgency.
The seasonal rotation keeps the store feeling dynamic rather than static. Even if you visit monthly, you’ll discover something new and different each time.
This strategy encourages repeat visits and prevents the inventory from feeling stale or predictable to frequent customers.
Holiday themed candies arrive at appropriate times, from heart shaped chocolates in February to candy corn in October. These seasonal classics meet customer expectations while the more unique offerings like key lime taffy provide pleasant surprises.
The balance between familiar and novel works beautifully.
13. Family Owned Business With Heart
Opie’s operates as a family owned business, and that makes all the difference in how the store runs. The owners aren’t distant corporate executives reviewing profit margins from afar.
They’re invested personally in every aspect of the operation, from product selection to customer service standards.
Family businesses often provide more consistent quality because reputation matters on a personal level. The owners’ names are attached to the store’s success or failure.
This accountability drives them to maintain high standards that might slip at corporate chain stores where employees feel less personally invested.
The warmth customers experience at Opie’s reflects family values of hospitality and generosity. Visitors aren’t just transactions to be processed efficiently.
They’re guests to be welcomed, helped, and sent away happy. This philosophy permeates every interaction and decision.
Supporting family owned businesses like Opie’s keeps money in the local community and preserves the character that makes small towns special. When you buy candy here, you’re not enriching distant shareholders.
You’re helping a family continue serving their community with products and service they genuinely care about providing excellently.
14. Reasonable Prices That Respect Your Budget
Quality doesn’t have to mean expensive, and Opie’s proves this beautifully. The prices feel fair for what you receive, especially compared to other tourist attraction shops that inflate costs simply because they can.
An eight ounce bag of candy for five dollars represents genuine value.
The bulk pricing model lets you control your spending perfectly. Fill your bag with exactly as much as you want to spend, whether that’s five dollars or twenty.
There’s no pressure to buy more than you need or want, just honest pricing by weight.
Ice cream portions are generous for the price charged, another example of the store’s commitment to value. You’re not paying premium prices for skimpy scoops that leave you unsatisfied.
The servings match what you’d hope to receive, making the cost feel justified and reasonable.
Some reviews mentioned a credit card processing fee, which is worth noting. Bringing cash avoids this small surcharge if you prefer.
The fee itself is disclosed upfront, so there are no surprise charges at checkout. Transparency in pricing builds trust between business and customer effectively.
