Our Story: Savannah's Original Candy Store Since 1973
River Street Sweets® is Savannah's oldest candy store, founded in 1973 on the city's historic riverfront and still owned and operated by siblings Jennifer and Tim Strickland. More than 50 years later, we are still hand-pouring our World Famous Pralines® in copper kettles and scooping them by hand on the same marble slabs.
A Savannah Family Legacy
The story began with The Cotton Bale, a small Christmas gift shop started by grandmother Georgia Nash and parents Pam and Stan Strickland. Rent on River Street was just $50 a month, and the family struggled at first — until a young Tim discovered two fudge pots at an Atlanta gift show. Following her father's instructions, Jennifer made the first batch of mint chocolate chip fudge and sold it on St. Patrick's Day. It was an instant hit.
From Fudge Pots to World Famous Pralines
Armed with a Southern Living cookbook and old family recipes, the Stricklands began experimenting with pralines, Bear Claws®, glazed Georgia pecans, divinity, and peanut brittle. Every confection is still made fresh in small batches using the same time-honored methods. Today those recipes anchor our best-selling Southern candy, shipped fresh nationwide with a 100% guarantee.
Visit Us in Savannah and Beyond
From our flagship store on River Street to locations across the South, we still make candy the slow way and pack every order like it's going to a friend. Find a River Street Sweets store near you to watch our candy makers at work, or send a taste of Savannah anywhere in the country.
