I was told recently that ribbon candy – a staple in the Christmas candy dish of grandmas everywhere, was invented in Brockton MA – near where my RetroRoadsister and her fam live. A big holiday thanks goes out to Retro Roadmap Reader and blogger in her own right, Miss Cherry Bubbles of Past Life Vintage for letting me know that it still is being made by one of my fave candy shops – Hilliards Candy, located just next door to Brockton, in Easton MA.
Here’s a sneak peek into how Hilliards make -by hand and by wacky crimping machine- this wonderful looking sweet treat:
I love how their ribbon candy has that satiny ribbon glow to it – I’ve seen other ribbon candy that looks more opaque, but this one reminds me of the Christmas candy of my childhood.
Speaking of Christmas candy – here’s Hilliards making some Peppermint Bark, using their own candy canes (and a mallet!). Yum! Hilliard’s is famous for their chocolate as well as their hard candies so you know this is going to be delish.
Family owned and operated since 1924, Hilliards is one of my fave places to visit year ’round with the Retro Roadkids – in the summer they have homemade ice cream made with their candy toppings – including their real chocolate jimmies or sprinkles to you non-New Englanders! I’ll have to snap a few photos next time I’m up there (when it’s warm enough to eat ice cream again!). They have 3 locations but my fave is the one in Easton, right near the RetroRoadfam!
Hilliards Candy
316 Main Street
North Easton, MA 02356-1107
(508) 238-6231
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Yummm! I would love to be the one who gets to use that big peppermint-smashing mallet
WV- I know, doesn’t that look like fun?!
Beth, it is warm enough to eat ice cream all year round. We had some Richardson’s Ice Cream this past Sunday!
Larry- I have to agree with you on that one actually- after I posted the post I realized that I myself had ice cream twice this week, and it’s freezing here in PA (which typically means it’s worse in Mass!) – only thing I will say about being at Hilliards for ice cream is that they typically only set up the ice cream parlor area in the on-season, so I can’t get it there year ’round. BUT their coffee turtle ice cream is to die for!
Beth – You’re welcome! And thank you!
I love reading your blog – always makes me want to jump in my jalopy for a roadtrip 
Peppermint bark – yum! So, why DOES crushing candy canes with a mallet look like so much fun??
Wishing you a wonderful holiday and bright new year!
WV- I know, doesn’t that look like fun?!
My Dear Retro Roadmap Readers –
In an effort to reduce comment spam by bots on my site, I’ve closed the comments on this post.
But the last thing I want to see happen is that it stops the conversation on this topic, especially if you have something you want to add!
So if you want to comment on this post all you have to do is email me at modbetty AT retroroadmap DOT com and let me know what you want to say and what post it goes with. I’ll make sure your info gets matched up and added to the conversation!
Thanks for understanding!
Your hostess, Mod Betty