Some places simply sell candy. Others preserve history.

Step through the doors of Schimpff's Confectionery in historic downtown Jeffersonville, and you'll discover a place where every piece of candy tells a story. The aroma of freshly made cinnamon candy, the gleam of vintage soda fountain stools, and the sights and sounds of candy being handcrafted the old-fashioned way make Schimpff's more than a destination—it's an experience.

A Legacy That Began with a Dream

The Schimpff family's story began in the mid-1800s when Magdalene Schimpff emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, bringing her family—and generations of confectionery knowledge—to America. Her son, Charles Schimpff, established the family's first confectionery in Jeffersonville in 1871, laying the foundation for a sweet legacy that continues today.

In 1891, Gustav "Gus" Schimpff Sr. and his son, Gus Jr., opened the confectionery at 347 Spring Street, the very same location where visitors still line up for handmade treats more than 130 years later. Their monthly rent? Just $25. The treasured recipe book Gus Sr. carried contained the handwritten formulas that would become some of Schimpff's most beloved candies—including their famous Cinnamon Red Hots.

More Than Candy

Generation after generation, the Schimpff family passed down more than recipes—they passed down craftsmanship.

Horse-drawn wagons once delivered candy throughout Jeffersonville. Later generations expanded the business while carefully protecting the traditions that made Schimpff's special. By the 1950s, visitors could browse model trains and hobby supplies alongside handcrafted sweets, and in the decades that followed, the store evolved into one of Indiana's most beloved attractions.

Today, guests can: watch candy being made by hand on century-old equipment; explore one of the nation's few candy museums; enjoy lunch or an old-fashioned soda at the authentic 1950s soda fountain and take home handmade chocolates, Modjeskas, caramel treats, and the legendary Cinnamon Red Hots.

Passing the Torch

Every great family business reaches a moment when one generation entrusts the next with its legacy.

In 2026, Warren and Jill Schimpff passed ownership to Steve and Beth Shepherd, ensuring the traditions that began in 1891 continue for future generations. Though ownership has changed, the mission remains the same: handcrafted candy, warm hospitality, and preserving one of Indiana's sweetest traditions.

An Indiana Treasure

Schimpff's isn't just one of Indiana's oldest candy stores—it's one of the oldest continuously operating family-owned confectioneries in the United States. It has been featured nationally, recognized as an Indiana landmark, and continues to welcome visitors from around the world who come to experience a true piece of Hoosier history.

As America celebrates 250 years, Schimpff's reminds us that some of our greatest stories aren't found in history books—they're found on Main Streets, in family businesses, and in recipes lovingly passed from one generation to the next.

So the next time you're exploring Southern Indiana, make time for a stop in Jeffersonville. Watch a batch of Red Hots being poured, enjoy a chocolate soda at the vintage fountain, and take home a bag of candy made using recipes that have delighted visitors for well over a century.

Because at Schimpff's, history has always been a little sweeter.