Short answer: Dahlonega has two fudge kitchens and a chocolatier within a block of each other on the Public Square: Kilwins Dahlonega, The Dahlonega Fudge Factory and Paul Thomas Chocolates. Dahlonega General Store, also on the Square, adds old-fashioned candy and peanuts roasted daily. All four publish seven-day hours on their own sites, checked October 19, 2026.
The fudge and chocolate shops side by side
Every cell comes from the shop’s own page or, for samples at the Fudge Factory, the Visitors Bureau. “Not stated” means we found nothing on it, not that the answer is no.
| Shop | Where | Made in store? | Free samples | Shipping | Hours (as published) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilwins Dahlonega | On the Square, 40 Public Square S | Yes: Mackinac Island Fudge in copper kettles, cooled on marble tables | Yes, fudge and ice cream on request | Not stated; large orders by contacting the store | Sun-Thu 12-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 12-9 p.m. |
| The Dahlonega Fudge Factory | By the Square, 8 N Park St | Makes its fudge and hand-dipped chocolates (in-store kitchen not described) | Yes, every day (Visitors Bureau) | Mail orders, one-pound minimum; chocolates ship Nov 1-Feb 28 only (tentative) | Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m. |
| Paul Thomas Chocolates | On the Square, 102 Public Square North | About 90% of what it sells is made on location | Not stated | Online catalog on its site; shipping terms not checked | Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 12:30-8 p.m. |
| Dahlonega General Store | On the Square, 24 South Public Square | Peanuts roasted daily; candy is stocked | Not stated | Not stated | Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m. |
Kilwins Dahlonega
Kilwins Dahlonega makes its Mackinac Island Fudge in the store, cooked in copper kettles and cooled on marble tables, and offers free samples of fudge and ice cream on request. (Kilwins, checked Oct 19, 2026)
Kilwins’ Dahlonega store page says it hand-paddles its Mackinac Island Fudge and dips Caramel Apples in caramel made in a copper kettle. Its own page also names TUTTLE Nut Caramels, along with truffles, brittle, caramel corn and chocolate-covered pretzels. Kilwins is also an ice cream counter (see ice cream). For large orders, party favors, gift baskets and corporate gifts, the store asks you to contact it directly and as early as possible, at (706) 203-3100. Directories still show an older phone number; that one is from the store’s own page.
The Dahlonega Fudge Factory
The Fudge Factory is a second-generation candy shop at the corner of North Park and Main, open since 1982. Its site names more than 15 varieties of cream and butter fudge, hand-dipped chocolates and Southern confections. Fudge flavors it names include Chocolate Cheesecake Swirl, Tiger Butter and Butter Brickle, with Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Peppermint Crunch as seasonal flavors; its seasonal favorites are listed as available November 1 to February 28. Its in-store favorites are Dahlonega Nuggets, Peanut Butter Cups, Cloud 9 Pretzels, chocolate-dipped Boar’s Head Bacon and Pecan Pralines, and it also makes Divinity.
In fall and winter it sells caramel-dipped apples made with apples from Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, and chocolate-dipped strawberries in spring and summer. The Visitors Bureau notes that it offers free fudge samples every day.
The Dahlonega Fudge Factory ships its chocolate products only between November 1 and February 28 (tentative dates), though chocolates are sold in the store year-round. (Fudge Factory, checked Oct 19, 2026)
That matters for gifts: chocolates can be bought in the store any time, but chocolate gifts by mail only fit the November-to-February window. Its mail orders have a one-pound minimum. For wedding favors, catering and corporate gifts, contact the shop at (706) 864-3988. One more note: the page shows a “New Store Hours” banner (used above) and an older “Winter Store Hours: Daily 11-7” block, so call if you are cutting it close.
Paul Thomas Chocolates
Paul Thomas Chocolates is a family-owned chocolate shop on the north side of the Square. Its own site says it handcrafts chocolates in small batches, that about 90% of what it sells is made on location, and that its soft caramels are cooked in a copper kettle. Its online catalog names the Almond Butter Crunch – Toffee, Black Cherry Truffles, Blood Orange Caramels, Cacao Fudge (chocolate covered) and Chocolate Covered Pretzels; the in-store selection is not separately published. It opens earliest of the three on Fridays and Saturdays, at 9 a.m.
Bourbon Street Grille’s dessert menu carries a Paul Thomas Beignet filled with locally made dark chocolate; see restaurant desserts.
Dahlonega General Store
Dahlonega General Store is an old-fashioned country store on the south side of the Square. Its site says it stocks old-fashioned candy and roasts its peanuts daily. It names no specific candies, so we cannot list them. It stays open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Which one for what
- Watch fudge being made: Kilwins says its fudge is made in the store on marble tables.
- Taste before you buy: Kilwins (ask a team member) and the Fudge Factory (samples every day, per the Visitors Bureau).
- Mail a chocolate gift: the Fudge Factory, between November 1 and February 28.
- Caramels and truffles: Paul Thomas (Blood Orange Caramels, Black Cherry Truffles) or Kilwins (TUTTLE Nut Caramels).
- Caramel apples: Kilwins, or the Fudge Factory in fall and winter.
- Old-fashioned candy and roasted peanuts: Dahlonega General Store.
- Latest on a weekend night: all four stay open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For a flavor-by-flavor look at the two fudge kitchens, read Dahlonega fudge, side by side. The Visitors Bureau’s own chocolate weekend is covered in the Dahlonega Chocolate Crawl; the 6th annual crawl ran March 5-8, 2026, and 2027 dates are not posted yet. For take-home food gifts that are not sweets, our shopping guide covers the gift shops.
Fudge shop cards
Chocolate
Paul Thomas Chocolates
Family-owned chocolate shop on the square that handcrafts its chocolates in small batches and says about 90% of what it sells is made on location, including soft caramels cooked in a copper kettle.
- On its own menu: Almond Butter Crunch – Toffee · Black Cherry Truffles · Blood Orange Caramels · Cacao Fudge • Chocolate Covered · Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Mon–Thu 10 am–8 pm · Fri–Sat 9 am–9 pm · Sun 12:30 pm–8 pm (as published)
- 102 Public Square North, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-6333
Source: paulthomaschocolates.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Fudge
Kilwins Dahlonega
Franchise chocolate, fudge and ice cream shop just off the square that makes Mackinac Island Fudge in the store on marble tables, dips caramel apples in made-in-store caramel and scoops Original Recipe Ice Cream in fresh waffle cones.
- On its own menu: Mackinac Island Fudge · Caramel Apples · TUTTLE™ Nut Caramels · New Orleans Praline Pecan · Sorbetto
- Its own menu marks: dairy-free options
- Mon–Thu 12 pm–8 pm · Fri–Sat 12 pm–9 pm · Sun 12 pm–8 pm (as published)
- 40 Public Square S, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 203-3100
Source: kilwins.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Fudge
The Dahlonega Fudge Factory
Second-generation candy shop at the corner of North Park and Main, open since 1982, making hand-dipped chocolates, Southern confections and more than 15 varieties of cream and butter fudge, plus caramel-dipped apples in fall and winter.
- On its own menu: Dahlonega Nuggets · Pecan Pralines · Peanut Butter Cups · Cloud 9 Pretzels · Divinity
- Mon–Thu 11 am–8 pm · Fri–Sat 11 am–9 pm · Sun 11 am–8 pm (as published)
- 8 N Park St, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-3988
Source: dahlonegafudgefactory.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Chocolate cards
Donuts and beignets
Bourbon Street Grille
Cajun restaurant on the square whose own menu lists beignets (French Market doughnuts in powdered sugar), a Paul Thomas Beignet filled with locally made dark chocolate, seasonal bread pudding and Bananas Foster.
- On its own menu: Beignets (4) · Paul Thomas Beignet · Seasonal Bread Pudding · Bananas Foster
- Mon 11 am–9 pm · Thu 11 am–9 pm · Fri 11 am–10 pm · Sat 9 am–10 pm · Sun 9 am–8 pm · closed Tue–Wed (as published)
- 90 Public Square N., Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-0086
Source: thebourbonstreetgrille.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Chocolate
Paul Thomas Chocolates
Family-owned chocolate shop on the square that handcrafts its chocolates in small batches and says about 90% of what it sells is made on location, including soft caramels cooked in a copper kettle.
- On its own menu: Almond Butter Crunch – Toffee · Black Cherry Truffles · Blood Orange Caramels · Cacao Fudge • Chocolate Covered · Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Mon–Thu 10 am–8 pm · Fri–Sat 9 am–9 pm · Sun 12:30 pm–8 pm (as published)
- 102 Public Square North, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-6333
Source: paulthomaschocolates.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Fudge
Kilwins Dahlonega
Franchise chocolate, fudge and ice cream shop just off the square that makes Mackinac Island Fudge in the store on marble tables, dips caramel apples in made-in-store caramel and scoops Original Recipe Ice Cream in fresh waffle cones.
- On its own menu: Mackinac Island Fudge · Caramel Apples · TUTTLE™ Nut Caramels · New Orleans Praline Pecan · Sorbetto
- Its own menu marks: dairy-free options
- Mon–Thu 12 pm–8 pm · Fri–Sat 12 pm–9 pm · Sun 12 pm–8 pm (as published)
- 40 Public Square S, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 203-3100
Source: kilwins.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Fudge
The Dahlonega Fudge Factory
Second-generation candy shop at the corner of North Park and Main, open since 1982, making hand-dipped chocolates, Southern confections and more than 15 varieties of cream and butter fudge, plus caramel-dipped apples in fall and winter.
- On its own menu: Dahlonega Nuggets · Pecan Pralines · Peanut Butter Cups · Cloud 9 Pretzels · Divinity
- Mon–Thu 11 am–8 pm · Fri–Sat 11 am–9 pm · Sun 11 am–8 pm (as published)
- 8 N Park St, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-3988
Source: dahlonegafudgefactory.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Candy cards
Chocolate
Paul Thomas Chocolates
Family-owned chocolate shop on the square that handcrafts its chocolates in small batches and says about 90% of what it sells is made on location, including soft caramels cooked in a copper kettle.
- On its own menu: Almond Butter Crunch – Toffee · Black Cherry Truffles · Blood Orange Caramels · Cacao Fudge • Chocolate Covered · Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Mon–Thu 10 am–8 pm · Fri–Sat 9 am–9 pm · Sun 12:30 pm–8 pm (as published)
- 102 Public Square North, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-6333
Source: paulthomaschocolates.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Fudge
Kilwins Dahlonega
Franchise chocolate, fudge and ice cream shop just off the square that makes Mackinac Island Fudge in the store on marble tables, dips caramel apples in made-in-store caramel and scoops Original Recipe Ice Cream in fresh waffle cones.
- On its own menu: Mackinac Island Fudge · Caramel Apples · TUTTLE™ Nut Caramels · New Orleans Praline Pecan · Sorbetto
- Its own menu marks: dairy-free options
- Mon–Thu 12 pm–8 pm · Fri–Sat 12 pm–9 pm · Sun 12 pm–8 pm (as published)
- 40 Public Square S, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 203-3100
Source: kilwins.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Fudge
The Dahlonega Fudge Factory
Second-generation candy shop at the corner of North Park and Main, open since 1982, making hand-dipped chocolates, Southern confections and more than 15 varieties of cream and butter fudge, plus caramel-dipped apples in fall and winter.
- On its own menu: Dahlonega Nuggets · Pecan Pralines · Peanut Butter Cups · Cloud 9 Pretzels · Divinity
- Mon–Thu 11 am–8 pm · Fri–Sat 11 am–9 pm · Sun 11 am–8 pm (as published)
- 8 N Park St, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-3988
Source: dahlonegafudgefactory.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Candy
Dahlonega General Store
Old-fashioned country store on the square that stocks old-fashioned candy, sells fresh peanuts roasted daily and pours a 5¢ cup of coffee.
- old-fashioned candy · fresh roasted peanuts · homemade jams and jellies · 5¢ coffee
- Mon–Thu 10 am–6 pm · Fri–Sat 10 am–9 pm · Sun 10 am–6 pm (as published)
- 24 South Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- (706) 864-2005
Source: dahlonegageneralstore.com, checked Oct 19, 2026
Questions people ask
Where can I buy fudge in Dahlonega?
Two shops by the Public Square make fudge: Kilwins Dahlonega at 40 Public Square S and The Dahlonega Fudge Factory at 8 N Park St. Paul Thomas Chocolates on the Square also sells a chocolate-covered Cacao Fudge.
Source: Fudge Factory, checked Oct 19, 2026
Does Kilwins Dahlonega make its fudge in the store?
Yes. Kilwins says it makes its Mackinac Island Fudge in the Dahlonega store, cooked in copper kettles and cooled on marble tables, and offers free samples of fudge and ice cream if you ask a team member.
Source: Kilwins, checked Oct 19, 2026
Does the Dahlonega Fudge Factory give free samples?
Yes. The Visitors Bureau's Chocolate Crawl listing says the Dahlonega Fudge Factory offers free fudge samples every day.
Source: Visitors Bureau, checked Oct 19, 2026
Can the Dahlonega Fudge Factory ship chocolate?
Only between November 1 and February 28 (tentative dates), because of heat during shipping; chocolates are sold in the store year-round. Its mail orders have a one-pound minimum.
Source: Fudge Factory, checked Oct 19, 2026
When does the Fudge Factory sell caramel apples?
In fall and winter, made with apples from Mercier Orchards in nearby Blue Ridge, according to its home page.
Source: Fudge Factory, checked Oct 19, 2026
Are Paul Thomas chocolates made in Dahlonega?
Paul Thomas Chocolates says it handcrafts its chocolates in small batches and that about 90% of what it sells is made on location at 102 Public Square North, including soft caramels cooked in a copper kettle.
Source: Paul Thomas Chocolates, checked Oct 19, 2026
What are the Dahlonega General Store's hours?
Its own site lists Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It stocks old-fashioned candy and roasts its peanuts daily.
Source: Dahlonega General Store, checked Oct 19, 2026