If Maurie’s Candy Store was a cat, it’d be on its ninth life right now.
Most of us that remember Maurie’s think of the store in Pekin that had famous candy apples, popcorn and a dizzying selection of candy. Well in the last couple of decades its opened and re-opened several times.
I’ve covered Maurie’s on this blog ever since a failed attempt in 2013 and other happier visits here, here and over here. I had heard Maurie’s was closed yet again and felt sad about that.
Then I heard that they re-opened the brand in Eureka, Illinois a little bit ago.
It turns out that the ADDWC (Association for the Developmentally Disabled of Woodford County) bought Maurie’s and moved the inventory and store to Eureka, Illinois and it’s now a non-profit business there.
I’m glad that Maurie’s is still Alvie and well and decided to go visit this new location in Eureka. To the MBIP Mobile we go for a mini road trip!
Okay, off we go to Eureka, Illinois. It’s a quick trip to this neighboring town through the miracle of these here interwebs…
Whoosh, here we are at Maurie’s Candy Store on Main Street in Eureka, Illinois!
Let’s go inside and check it out!
Wow, it looks great in here and behind the counter is Keith McArdle, who is the president and CEO of ADDWC, the organization that brought the Maurie’s brand to Eureka, Illinois.
He told me that they purchased the Maurie’s brand, recipes and inventory to provide work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
And Eureka gets a unique candy shop out of the deal and the legendary Maurie’s brand lives on! Such a sweet deal!
Let’s take a look around in here!!
Maurie’s first opened its doors in 1941 in Pekin and this is the original sign hanging on the wall in the new Eureka location.
There’s a photo of Keith and the crew bringing the sign to the Eureka location back in 2019 when they opened this store.
The front counter is loaded with fudge and candies made fresh in the store.
Menus hang behind the counter featuring their coffee, hot tea, bottled soda and more sweet treats!
Wow, look at all the candy in here!
This store has such a nice nostalgic feel to it!
Speaking of nostalgia, lots of this vintage candy is bringing back sweet memories for me!
They also make their own popcorn here and they have many variations including caramel corn, cheese popcorn and other freshly-popped flavors!
They also sell fresh-ground coffee and there’s a nice spot to sit and relax up front and enjoy your treats. It’s shut off now due to Covid-19 restrictions, but hopefully it’ll be open again soon.
I met the real boss in here just as I was leaving, Keith’s wife, Julie! She’s the manager of the shop and it was great to meet her and spend some time in the new location of Maurie’s!
This shop is just a half an hour away from Peoria, so stop in and help support this sweet local business! (Note: Due to staff illness (non Covid related) the shop is closed until January 19th.)
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116 N. Main Street
Eureka, Illinois
209-304-1135
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Related Posts: Shopping Locally @: ACME Comics, Primitiques On Main and Popcorn Heaven.