What Is the History and Background of Duffy's Fine Chocolates?

Updated

Duffy's Fine Chocolates is a handmade confectionery business that has been operating since 1922 and is now in its fifth generation. It is based in New Jersey, with shops in Gloucester City and Haddonfield, and is known for small-batch chocolates and candies including caramels, truffles, buttercreams, brittles, Irish potatoes, and barks.

A Century of Handmade Confections

The defining fact about Duffy's is its longevity. The business dates to 1922, which means it has been making confections for more than a century. Just as important is how it has been passed down: the company describes itself as fifth-generation, so the same family line has carried the business through roughly five rounds of ownership succession.

That continuity shapes what the brand emphasizes. The site's own language centers on "handmade chocolates" and "small batch" production rather than mass manufacturing, positioning Duffy's as a craft confectioner rather than a large-scale candy producer.

New Jersey Roots: Two Locations

Duffy's operates two retail shops, both in New Jersey:

Location Address Hours
Gloucester City 29 N Broadway, Gloucester City, NJ 08030 Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–5pm; Sun closed
Haddonfield 145 Kings Hwy E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033 Tue–Fri 11am–6pm; Sat & Sun 11am–5pm; Mon closed

Each location has its own phone number: (856) 456-2955 for Gloucester City and (856) 888-1735 for Haddonfield. Note that the two shops keep different schedules — Gloucester City opens on weekdays but closes Sundays, while Haddonfield is closed Mondays and opens later in the day. If you plan to visit, check the specific store's hours rather than assuming they match.

What Duffy's Is Known For

The product identity rests on a core set of handmade items:

  • Caramels
  • Truffles
  • Buttercreams
  • Brittles
  • Irish potatoes
  • Barks

Beyond its own confections, Duffy's also carries Byers' Choice, described on the site as "Exclusively Handmade for Duffy's." The site organizes its offerings into collection categories including Autumn Signature Chocolates, Confections, Byers' Choice, and Exclusives, and it promotes seasonal items such as Autumn Sweets alongside its year-round handmade chocolates.

What This Means If You're Considering a Purchase

A few practical points follow from the background above:

  • Shipping is limited. The site states it now ships only via UPS Ground, citing increased costs and slower Postal Service delivery. Orders are typically processed within two days of receipt, excluding weekends.
  • Delivery dates aren't guaranteed. Duffy's notes that shipping delays mean it cannot promise arrival by a specific date, and that it is not responsible for incorrectly entered addresses or for lost or stolen packages.
  • Local pickup or in-store shopping may suit you better if you need something by a certain date, given the shipping caveats. Both shops are in the Camden County area of New Jersey.
  • For updates, the business directs customers to its Facebook and Instagram accounts, and it offers a mailing list signup for special offers and announcements.

If your interest is the brand's heritage, the short version is: a family confectioner founded in 1922, now in its fifth generation, making small-batch chocolates and candies in Gloucester City and Haddonfield, New Jersey. If your interest is buying, the store hours and UPS Ground shipping policy above are the details that will most affect your plans.