Forbes Candies has been crafting unforgettable sweets by the sea for over 95 years, blending tradition, passion, and chock full of sea breeze and sunshine in every bite.

The Story of Two Confectionary Dreamers

Our story begins with a young couple, Charlie and Marion Forbes, newlyweds living in Virginia Beach with Marion’s parents and working hard to make ends meet. Charlie’s entrepreneurial spirit sparked his journey into the world of confections when he began selling candy bars part-time. What started as a simple job soon evolved into a deep passion as he discovered that candy was more than just a treat—it was an art form capable of spreading joy. Inspired by this newfound purpose, Charlie and Marion saw an opportunity to turn their love for homemade confections into a gift they could share with the Hampton Roads community

In 1930, with a little help from Marion’s father, "B" Powell—a plumber by trade—they set up their first candy kitchen in their basement. Equipped with only a gas stove, a candy table, copper kettles, and hearts filled with passion, they began creating their first confections: peanut brittle and the original stretch salt water taffy. By 1933, Charlie and Marion proudly opened their first retail location in Virginia Beach, selling sweet treats to locals and visitors along the oceanfront. It was the beginning of a lifelong labor of love.

As quickly as things began to grow, disaster struck. Just one month after opening their first store, a hurricane wiped it out. But Charlie and Marion weren’t ones to give up. With resilience and determination, they rebuilt, converting a two-car garage on Atlantic Avenue into a new shop. This marked the beginning of a Virginia Beach tradition, where their confections continued to thrive.

Overcoming Challenges with Creativity

The 1940s brought new challenges—World War II, sugar rations, and difficult times. Charlie joined the Merchant Marines, leaving Marion to raise their three children and keep the candy business alive. Marion’s ingenuity shone during these years. With sugar and corn syrup in short supply, she introduced a new treat that saved the day: popcorn. Forbes Candies became famous for its 5-cent bags of popcorn, with lines stretching down the block.

Sweet Success and Expansion

In the 1950s and ‘60s, Forbes Candies expanded its offerings, adding creamy fudges and homemade chocolates like pecan caramel delights (aka “turtles”) to the collection. The small-town candy kitchen had become a thriving business, with its reputation for quality confections spreading across the East Coast. From neighborhood shops to big department stores, Forbes Candies was growing, and so was its legacy.

Eventually, as those department stores began to fade, Forbes Candies shifted its focus to multiple locations along the Virginia Beach oceanfront and expanded into the neighboring Outer Banks of North Carolina. With vacationers flocking to these areas, the business flourished. Forbes Candies broadened its offerings to include gifts, clothing, and souvenirs, alongside its beloved homemade confections.

A Family Tradition Continues

Today, Forbes Candies remains locally owned and operated, staying true to the values and traditions set by Charlie and Marion. We’re as passionate as ever about creating sweet treats with love. Our confections still use the original recipes, and our salt water taffy is stretched to achieve its famous chewy texture—a staple of beachside summers.

The demand for our sweet creations has taken Forbes Candies beyond Virginia Beach. We now sell our products across the USA and globally through wholesale and private labelling. As we’ve grown, we’ve continued to focus on quality and tradition, creating our treats in our Virginia Beach kitchens. Thanks to our loyal family of taffy lovers, Forbes Candies has become the largest manufacturer of salt water taffy on the East Coast. For this, we thank you for sharing the Forbes family tradition with your family for generations.

Celebrate 95 Years of Sweetness

The dream that began in a basement is still going strong, and we’re so happy to share a little sea breeze and sunshine with you. Join us in celebrating 95 years of sweetness! Stop by one of our shops or order online to taste the tradition, savor the sunshine, and take home a little magic passed down through generations of confection lovers.