Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/410828
Thanksgiving, the Pantry creates its own candy canes on-site, opening to the public 2 to 3 times per season. Boxed chocolate collections are also particularly popular for the holidays, and Emerson creates new designs each year. The store's ice cream bar offers an extra draw for winter visitors: "People like ice cream all year- round," explains Emerson. "But it's a bit less convenient in the winter. At Putnam Pantry we have comfortable seats and a nice fireplace where people can relax and enjoy their ice cream without braving the cold weather." 255 Newbury St., Danvers, 978-774-2383, putnampantry.com Beverly's historic Prides Crossing neigh- borhood is home to the wonderful Prides Crossing Confections, a locally based candy store owned by Milissa Oraibi, former owner of the well-loved Wild Horse Café. The many variations and flavors of chocolates, made in the store's on-site kitchen, accompany traditional offerings like peanut brittle, caramel popcorn, homemade hot fudge, and their famous caramel and pecan turtles. While Prides Crossing excels at time-honored favorites, they also strive for the uncom- mon: "We have all kinds of new caramels houses for members of the community to stop in, enjoy hot chocolate and snacks, and watch a hands-on demonstration of how employees create the season's candy canes and Christmas hard candies. This year's open houses will be held on December 6 and 7 in each location and will feature new candy assortments and holiday gifts. 122 Derby St., Salem, 978- 745-2744; 59 Main St., North Andover, 978-689-3636, peppercandy.net Established in 1951, Putnam Pantry's unique combination of homemade candy and delicious ice cream has attracted visitors to its Route 1 North location for years. For owner Eric Emerson, grandson of the store's original founder, "There's both a chemistry and an art to making chocolate. Great candy is made with great equipment or years of experience. At Putnam Pantry, we have both." In the store's two kitchens, Emerson and other employees create their popular caramel turtles, butter crunch toffee, and the store's brand-new line of truffles "We've created 8 to 10 new truffl flavors," Emer- son explains. "And we're always working on new candies and new flavors. The store has a lot to offer for the holidays as well: Beginning the week after December 2014 nshoremag.com 47 this year," says Oraibi. "We have the traditional chocolate-covered ones, but we've also embraced the new salted-cara- mel trend with special salts flavored with bacon and habanero." Oraibi adds, "We also have new strawberry and blueberry creams for the holidays, as well as our old favorite, white chocolate peppermint bark." These holiday candies accompany the specially designed gift boxes with both Christmas and Hanukkah themes: "We decorate the candies with red and green icing for Christmas, and blue and white icing for Hanukkah. They are a beautiful way to celebrate any holiday or gift-giving occasion." Caramel Conception: Above and right, Prides Crossing Confections' famous caramels and Milissa Oraibi; Below, Putnum Pantry's ice cream bar.