The Delicious Chocolate Shop in Kentucky To Visit for Valentine’s Day Treats

Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to enjoy a special, old-fashioned chocolate treat. I love chocolate any time of year, and I especially love having a reason to have a few extra pieces on Valentine's Day. Kentucky is home to some incredible candy and chocolate shops. Ruth Hunt Candies in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, is a beloved chocolate shop and factory that has operated for more than 100 years.

Ruth Hunt Sharpe began the business in 1921, making delicious candy from her Mount Sterling home. She eventually opened a store on Main Street and operated the company with her daughter until the 1960s. The Kezele family and Tobby Moore currently run the chocolate shop and factory. A second location opened in Lexington, Kentucky, continuing to wow customers with their high-quality chocolates.

Ruth Hunt Candies sells pulled cream candy, assorted chocolate boxes, caramel-covered marshmallows, wrapped caramels, English toffee, moonshine balls, and much more. They sell several treats with Woodford Reserve bourbon, including Woodford Reserve Licensed Bourbon Balls and Woodford Reserve Dark Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt. Their most popular delicacy is the Blue Monday Bar, a Ruth Hunt creation with a pulled cream candy center covered in delicious dark chocolate.

The chocolate shop is the perfect place to pick up a Valentine's Day treat. It sells heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, gift baskets, massive chocolate kisses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and beautifully decorated chocolate-covered cookies and pretzels. There is even a Valentine's box tin full of Blue Monday Bars.

I would love to receive any of Ruth Hunt Candies' gourmet treats for Valentine's Day. They'd make a terrific gift for just about anyone—friends, teachers, coaches, and neighbors—and knowing you're supporting a century-old Kentucky business is the cherry on top. You can buy them in-store in Mount Sterling and Lexington or through the company's website.

For more details, visit Ruth Hunt Candie's website and Facebook page.

Mount Sterling, Kentucky, is only about 20 minutes from Winchester, a charming town of about 20,000 residents. Winchester is home to the Bluegrass Heritage Museum, with unique and interesting exhibits dedicated to the history of Central Kentucky. The Waterfront Grille and Gathering is a riverfront restaurant serving wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and more. Engine House Pizza Pub serves delicious pizza in a historic and supposedly haunted former firehouse. Winchester is also near Red River Gorge, one of the most beautiful areas in Kentucky.

If you're interested in staying in the area, consider staying in this two-bedroom Airbnb in Mount Sterling. It's beautifully decorated and has a full kitchen, large dining area, and stunning back deck.