Vande Walle's Candies goes back more than 75 years to when Grandma Vande Walle would bake and create candy in her kitchen.

Lance Paine, president of Goo Goo Cluster, LLC, always believed that a flagship store was exactly what the brand needed.

Goody Goody Gumdrop, which claims to have the largest candy store in Wisconsin, has three shops in the Wisconsin Dells.

Working out of a kitchen just a few blocks north of the U.S. Capitol building, Dave Burton and his team create an assortment of lollipops, flavored marshmallows, chocolate-covered Oreos, divinity, barks and other tasty confections.

Amanda Puck, director of strategic brand development for Mariano’s, loves to describe the chain as, “an experience.” It’s a lofty goal for a grocery store, but it’s definitely a goal they seem to be achieving.

Pop music dances around the room as Katy Perry, Rihanna, Gerald Butler and other pop culture icons with lollipops in hand smile coyly down at everyone who steps into Sugar Factory’s new location in Rosemont, Ill.

Rhonda Dehn always had a head for figures. Thus, when asked to work Saturdays at the family’s retail candy shop in Palatine, Ill., there were no issues when it came to computing sales taxes on purchases or giving out change.

With a combined 35 stores and more coming, Lolli and Pops is looking to grow its portfolio of brands.

“We produce a series of beautiful colorful artisan meltaways and truffles,” says the owners, Carrie and Roger Igielski.

Five confectionery buyers from five different candy stores gathered in a small conference room - and once they started talking, they didn't stop.