Kilwin’s: Columbus’s confectionist and chocolatier

With 120 stores across the country, it might seem strange to think of Kilwin’s as a local business, but we certainly do. First, the franchise is locally owned. Second, there’s nothing else like it. Third, Kilwin’s does all of the things we love in our locally owned businesses, from hand made and stamped chocolates from one Michigan source, rather than one of the giant agricultural conglomerates, to producing many of their products in house.

Before you enter Kilwin’s, you’ll see the kitchen—and if they’re making waffle cones for their original recipe ice cream, you’ll likely smell the kitchen, too. Those sweet aromas, the marshmallow dipped in chocolate, the apples emerging from caramel, are only a taste of what’s tasty inside.

Scanning the cases whatever your age will make you feel about ten years old. Of course it does: there are twelve kinds of fudge, caramels, brittles. Moving along the case toward the ice cream, ask for samples of their original recipe scoops. Eyeing something cherry-flavored? Those are real cherries in there, and you’ll want a scoop or two in one of those waffle cones you saw being made as you walked in.

For the holidays, Kilwin’s has great gifts for kids of all ages. In addition to all of the year-round treats, there are hand made seasonal Christmas chocolates. Enjoy a cup of coffee, or the world’s greatest hot chocolate, while one of Kilwin’s employees helps you design a gift basket for someone special. And never fret over shipping, because they can handle that, too. Before you leave, you’ll also want to ask about catering for parties and events.