Tucked away on Market Street in Tallahassee sits a place that feels like stepping into a sweet time machine. Lofty Pursuits isn’t your typical ice cream shop or candy store. It’s a delightful throwback to Victorian-era soda fountains, where everything from the candy to the ice cream is crafted by hand using traditional methods that most modern shops have long forgotten.
1. Handcrafted Victorian Hard Candy Made Fresh Daily
Walking into Lofty Pursuits means watching history come alive through candy making. Every single day, skilled craftspeople stand at marble slabs, pulling and shaping hard candies using techniques that date back over a century. The process is mesmerizing, and visitors often gather around to watch the transformation from hot sugar to glossy, jewel-toned treats.
The flavors range from classic options like green apple and blackberry to more adventurous choices that rotate with the seasons. Each piece is cut by hand, which means no two candies look exactly alike. The shop has gained such a following that people from the Netherlands to Texas order their candy online, with many reviewers calling green apple their absolute favorite.
What makes these candies special isn’t just the taste. It’s the commitment to doing things the old way, without shortcuts or modern machinery that strips away character. During the holiday season, they craft special batches including their famous candy canes, which families have traveled from out of state just to watch being made…