We’ve Been Keeping This Ohio Little-Known Candy Shop a Secret

One of my favorite parts about this job is hearing from the folks who read the words I write. Sometimes they thank me for shining a light on their favorite Ohio hike. Others share memories of the local pizza buffet and what it tasted like back in the old days. Some tell stories about places that feel frozen in time, still holding on in the Buckeye State. Those emails, written by people who truly love where they live, are my favorite ones to open. That’s exactly how I found out about this incredible hidden gem of an Ohio candy shop.

Earlier this year, a reader named Russ emailed me after reading an Ohio snow tubing article I wrote. He told me how much he enjoyed it, then casually asked if I ever took suggestions. I replied yes immediately. I love learning about places that other people love. Russ sent over a list of Ohio hidden gems, and most of them sounded great. One stood out right away. It was a candy store... because I've had a lifelong candy obsession, of course, it was.

Dietsch Brothers has been part of Findlay, Ohio, for generations, and the locals talk about it the way people talk about family traditions. The story begins in the late 1920s, when Edward Dietsch bought a small candy company and started using family recipes to make chocolates and ice cream. Life threw some heavy turns early on, and the business closed for a short time. In 1937, Edward’s brothers reopened the shop, focusing entirely on chocolates and ice cream made the old way. The doors have stayed open ever since.

Today, there are two Dietsch Brothers locations in Findlay. The downtown shop on West Main Cross Street feels classic and busy in the best way. You’ll find long-time locals popping in for chocolate-covered pretzels and college students hovering near the ice cream counter. The second location on Tiffin Avenue is larger, a bit more suburban, and easier for quick stops, especially if you know exactly which candy tower you’re there to grab. Both locations produce the same handmade candy and ice cream, and both feel deeply tied to the community.

Let’s talk about what you actually eat there, because that’s the point. The chocolate-covered pretzels are the thing everyone mentions first, and for good reason. They’re thick, crunchy, generously coated, and available in several flavors. People ship them across the country, then immediately regret not ordering more. Buckeyes also get plenty of love (I mean, it is Ohio, after all). Soft peanut butter centers wrapped in milk chocolate proudly and unapologetically represent the, uh, Buckeye State. Caramels come individually wrapped, chewy and rich, with the kind of texture that makes you pause mid-conversation. Candy towers stack all the hits together, which solves the problem of choosing.

The ice cream deserves just as much attention. Orange Pineapple tastes bright and creamy, with real fruit pieces that cut through the sweetness. That flavor is only available in the hazy days of summer, though. Chocolate Pretzel Caramel Swirl mixes salty crunch into a caramel base that feels engineered for happiness. Peppermint Stick stays available year-round, pink and cool with bits of candy throughout. Lemon Custard brings a sharp tang that wakes you up. Mackinac Island Fudge folds brownie bits and fudge ripple into vanilla ice cream, somehow making winter feel optional.

The town of Findlay itself adds to the experience. The city has a friendly, lived-in feel, with people who stop to chat and mean it. Within fifteen minutes, you can walk the trails at Riverbend Recreation Area, explore Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, or learn local history at the Hancock Historical Museum. Downtown restaurants focus on comfort food done well, and coffee shops stay busy without feeling rushed.

Dietsch Brothers remains family-owned, now led by the fourth generation, with more than 100 employees, many of whom have worked there for years. That kind of continuity shows up in the product. The candy tastes consistent. The ice cream scoops feel generous. The whole operation runs on muscle memory and pride.

So here’s your assignment from me. Visit Ohio. Visit Findlay. Check out the Hancock Historical Museum, wander downtown, then stop by Dietsch Brothers and order more than you think you need. These are the kinds of places readers write to me about for a reason. Russ, thank you for the tip. Keep the emails coming.

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