How Highland Park’s Goodies Etc. Became Chicago’s Go-To for Gourmet Candy Gifts

The Story Behind Chicago’s Favorite Candy Gift Shop

In a world of Amazon Prime and mass-produced gift baskets, Goodies Etc. has spent over 30 years proving that handcrafted still matters. What started as a small candy store in downtown Highland Park has become one of Chicago’s most trusted sources for gourmet candy gift baskets — shipping to all 50 states from a single storefront on 1st Street.

Here is how it happened.

1992: A Candy Store Opens in Highland Park

Goodies Etc. opened its doors at 1876 1st Street in Highland Park, Illinois in 1992. The concept was simple: offer high-quality candy in a welcoming, family-owned store on Chicago’s North Shore.

From the beginning, the focus was on quality. Not the cheapest candy — the best candy. Premium chocolates. Real butter toffee. Name-brand gummies. The kind of candy that makes people say “wow” when they taste it.

The Gift Basket Evolution

Customers kept asking: “Can you put together a basket for my mom’s birthday?” “Can you make a tray for my office party?” “Can you ship this to my college student?”

So Goodies Etc. started making gift baskets — not as an afterthought, but as a craft. Each basket was hand-assembled with the same care and quality as the candy sold by the pound. The presentation mattered as much as the taste.

Word spread. Birthday baskets led to corporate gift orders. Corporate orders led to holiday basket season. Holiday baskets led to wedding favors, sympathy gifts, new baby baskets, and college care packages.

The Signature Products

Over the years, a few products became legendary among North Shore customers:

English Toffee

Our English Toffee is made with real butter and coated in premium chocolate. It has a cult following — customers drive from across the Chicago area to pick up boxes during the holidays. Available in three sizes: $19, $37, and $57.

The Basket of Goodies

Our signature basket ($85–$165) is a mix of gourmet chocolates, gummies, toffee, nuts, and specialty candies. It is our #1 seller and the gift that introduced thousands of people to Goodies Etc.

The Signature Assortment Tray

Our Signature Tray ($75–$185) is a flat arrangement of mixed chocolates, toffee, bark, and chocolate-covered treats — designed as a centerpiece for parties and events.

Going National: Shipping from Highland Park

For years, Goodies Etc. was a local secret — known on the North Shore but unavailable beyond driving distance. Then we added nationwide shipping via UPS.

Today, we ship to all 50 states. Orders are still assembled by hand in Highland Park and shipped within 1-2 business days. The candy that arrives at a doorstep in California or New York is the same candy you would buy at our store.

Serving Every Diet and Every Occasion

As dietary needs became more important, Goodies Etc. expanded to include:

Corporate Gifts: Chicago Businesses Trust Goodies Etc.

Chicago-area businesses — from North Shore professional firms to downtown corporations — trust Goodies Etc. for corporate gift baskets. We handle multi-address shipping, custom branding, and bulk orders with the same personal touch as a single basket order.

30+ Years and Still Growing

After more than three decades, Goodies Etc. is still family-owned, still handcrafting every basket, and still operating from the same Highland Park storefront. We have been recognized by the City of Highland Park, featured in local media, and named among the Best of Highland Park.

But the best recognition is the customers who have been ordering from us for 10, 15, even 20+ years — and their kids who are now ordering baskets of their own.

Visit or Order Online

Store: 1876 1st Street, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 432-0400
Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 11am–4pm

Shop all gift baskets online | Corporate gifts

Goodies Etc. — Gourmet candy gift baskets handcrafted in Highland Park, IL since 1992.