This Candy Store in Illinois Was Ripped Straight From The Pages Of A Fairytale
By Linze Rice|Published March 09, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
When you picture a candy store in your wildest dreams, what does it look like? Is it bright and colorful, with rainbows, greenery, and neon signs with positive affirmations? Is it filled with a thousand different ways to enjoy your favorite snack? If so, then this fluffy marshmallow fairytale just may be the best candy store in Chicago, Illinois.
For an enchanting spin on a classic treat, XO Marshmallow, 2730 N. Clark St., serves up dreamy marshmallow-based sweets in its Lincoln Park shop and cafe. From the moment you walk up to the pink brick storefront, you'll be immersed in a colorful world where the sugary possibilities are endless.
The confectionery began as an online business in 2016, and as customer demand exploded, the shop expanded into a bright and cozy brick-and-mortar space.
The candy shop has become locally famous for its amazing array of marshmallow products — including flavored marshmallows, fresh s'mores, fluff-filled cookies, and hot and cold drinks.
A major perk of these delicious marshmallows: They're completely gluten-free!
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Flavors include funfetti, Butterbeer, cookies and cream, lavender honey, salted caramel, Nutella, chocolate chip, and more. They also switch it up with seasonal flavors like pumpkin and special limited-time options like bubblegum.
Customers can grab a hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows and take it to go, or sit for a while in the adorably decorated shop. Or, you can grab some marshmallows and enjoy them with hot chocolate around a campfire.
Of course, XO Marshmallow isn't serving just any hot chocolate -- get it in gourmet flavors like salted caramel, lavender white chocolate, or birthday cake white chocolate.
The creative drinks aren't just limited to hot chocolate though — how about a toasted marshmallow latte, cold brew float, or a Fluffagato (a scoop of gooey marshmallow with a double shot of espresso poured over the top)?
The shop also makes other fluffy treats, like its Dat Cone Dough marshmallow cone, Oh Dough You Didn't edible cookie dough cups, Cosmallow Brownie Cups, and marshmallow turtle cups with chocolate, caramel, and pecan.
Fans can even go straight for a pint of OMG — AKA Ooey Marshmallow Goodness. It's exactly what it sounds like: a container filled with soft, pillowy fluff and topped with different flavor combinations, like Brookie Dough (cookie dough and brownie bits), Party Animal (with animal crackers), and Gimmie Gimmie S'more.
Have you been to XO Marshmallow? Do you think it’s the best candy store in Chicago, Illinois? What’s your favorite flavor of theirs, or what would you like to see added to the menu? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip there now by perusing their website and Facebook page. And if you’re craving another candy besides marshmallow, be sure to check out this massive candy store on Chicago’s North Side that’s filled with tons of options — or even one of these eight classic candy shops in Illinois that are loaded with history and plenty of rare treats.
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