IIf Willy Wonka ever opened a shop in Oregon, it would look a lot like this. Hidden in plain sight on NE 181st Avenue in Portland, Candy Basket Inc. is part old-fashioned candy store, part chocolate factory, and entirely magical. It’s a place where childhood nostalgia and handcrafted artistry collide, and yes, it really has a 21-foot chocolate waterfall that smells every bit as heavenly as it sounds.
This isn’t a trendy Portland pop-up or a TikTok candy stunt. The Candy Basket has been here since 1914, quietly perfecting the art of chocolate for over a century. The building itself, tucked into an unassuming stretch of Portland’s industrial east side, doesn’t scream for attention — but step inside, and you’ll understand why it doesn’t need to. It’s the kind of local legend that’s earned its reputation one handcrafted truffle at a time.
The moment you walk in, the air wraps around you — a warm swirl of cocoa, caramel, and sugar that feels both nostalgic and new. Shelves brim with bright candies, glossy wrappers, and jars filled with sweets that spark childhood memories. It’s impossible not to smile as you take in the kaleidoscope of color and scent.
And then there’s the waterfall. Cascading ribbons of real chocolate flow down a towering, multi-tiered fountain — a mesmerizing sight that makes even the most disciplined visitor pause mid-step. It’s a spectacle so decadent that Willy Wonka himself would likely nod in approval.
Behind that wonderland charm lies serious craftsmanship. The Candy Basket’s handcrafted chocolates are the heart of the operation, made with real vanilla, fresh cream, premium nuts, and high-quality cocoa sourced from select regions around the world. There are no shortcuts here — no waxy coatings or artificial flavorings trying to pass as the real thing. Each truffle, cluster, and caramel is made by hand in small batches, tempered to perfection for that satisfying snap and melt-in-your-mouth smoothness.
The chocolatiers here aren’t just candy makers; they’re artisans. Decades of experience go into perfecting texture, shine, and flavor balance. The tempering process alone — heating, cooling, and agitating the chocolate until it crystallizes just right — is a dance of science and intuition. It’s what gives their chocolate that deep sheen and rich aroma that store-bought sweets can only imitate.
As you wander through the aisles, it feels like walking through a living archive of confectionery history. You’ll find old-fashioned favorites like peanut brittle, saltwater taffy, and caramel creams alongside more modern indulgences like dark chocolate sea salt caramels and espresso truffles. Some recipes date back generations, preserved and refined rather than reinvented.
The shop also showcases Oregon’s own bounty — locally roasted hazelnuts covered in smooth milk chocolate, marionberry creams with a tart finish, and buttery toffee made from Pacific Northwest dairy. Everything here feels purposeful, rooted in quality and tradition rather than novelty…