St. Stephen

The elegant Ganong factory-outlet chocolate and candy store dominates the main street of St. Stephen, across the St. Croix River from Calais, Maine, and the small town is a mecca for chocoholics. Indeed, St. Stephen is known as "Chocolate Town." The Ganong brothers first opened a small grocery store in 1873 but soon began specializing in chocolate and candy making. Over the years, many chocolate-related innovations occurred here, including the production of the first chocolate candy bar with nuts in North America and the introduction of the heart-shaped box of chocolates (originally produced for Christmas but now a long-standing symbol of Valentine's Day). In early August "choctails," chocolate puddings, cakes, and all things chocolate are served during the Chocolate Festival, when you might see the "Chocolate Mousse" about town.