Where to Buy Swedish Candy in Illinois (Chicago & Beyond): 2026 Guide

The Swedish Candy Scene in Illinois

Illinois has one of the stronger Swedish-American communities in the United States. The peak of Swedish immigration to Chicago hit between 1880 and 1920, when more than 100,000 Swedes settled in the city — many in the neighborhood now known as Andersonville on the north side, anchored by Clark Street between Foster and Bryn Mawr. That legacy is still visible: Andersonville has a Swedish American Museum, Swedish bakeries, and several businesses that either import Swedish goods directly or carry them alongside Nordic specialties.

Outside Chicago proper, Illinois also has two IKEA locations (Schaumburg and Bolingbrook) that carry a rotating selection of Swedish candy in their marketplace section, plus a handful of Scandinavian-import specialty stores scattered across the state.

This guide covers all of it: named stores with addresses, the IKEA option, online retailers that ship reliably to Illinois, cultural events, and how to order from out-of-state shops if local options don’t have what you want.

Chicago: Andersonville Is the Hub

If you’re in Illinois and want Swedish candy in one place, Andersonville is the answer. The walkable stretch of Clark Street between Foster (5200N) and Bryn Mawr (5600N) has historically hosted multiple Swedish businesses — a few have changed hands in recent years, but the neighborhood remains the densest concentration of Swedish and Scandinavian retail in the Midwest.

Key Andersonville Stops

• Swedish American Museum (5211 N Clark St, Chicago). Small museum with a well-stocked gift shop that carries Swedish candy, chocolates, and imports. A reliable stop if you’re in the neighborhood — prices are slightly higher than online but the selection includes hard-to-find brands. Open Tue–Sun, check current hours. The museum itself is worth the visit for Swedish-American history context.
• Ann Sather Restaurant (5207 N Clark St, Chicago). Iconic Swedish-American diner famous for its cinnamon rolls. The front counter usually stocks a small selection of Swedish candy and packaged goods from Swedish importers — not a primary candy source but a nice grab-and-go if you’re eating there. Weekend brunches have a line; weekdays are mellower.
• Simon’s Tavern and neighborhood groceries. Several Andersonville grocery stores and delis carry imported candy alongside Swedish cheese, pickled fish, and other Nordic staples. Stop in the smaller specialty markets rather than the chain stores — the curation is better.
• Andersonville Midsommarfest (second weekend of June each year). Annual Swedish-American festival on Clark Street. Multiple vendors sell Swedish candy, imports, and food. Best time of year to discover local Swedish-American businesses and stock up on imports you can’t find year-round.

What to Call Ahead About

Specialty shops often have specific imports that come and go with shipment cycles. If you’re making a trip from elsewhere in Illinois, call ahead to the Swedish American Museum gift shop to confirm they currently have what you’re looking for. Specific brands like BUBS, Malaco, Marabou, and Djungelvrål rotate availability.

IKEA in Illinois: Schaumburg and Bolingbrook

Two IKEA locations in Illinois. Both carry Swedish candy in their Swedish Food Market section near the checkout. Selection is limited (usually 15–25 products) but pricing is the cheapest in the state for popular items.

IKEA Schaumburg

Address: 1800 E McConnor Pkwy, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Hours: Typically 10 AM–9 PM Mon–Sat, 10 AM–8 PM Sun (verify current hours on IKEA website)
Drive time: ~30–45 min from downtown Chicago via I-90 West

The northwest-suburbs location. Larger store overall than Bolingbrook with a slightly wider Swedish food section. Reliable for Ahlgrens Bilar, BUBS gummies, Marabou chocolate bars, Daim, and a rotating selection of classic Swedish gummies and licorice.

IKEA Bolingbrook

Address: 750 E Boughton Rd, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Hours: Similar to Schaumburg (verify current hours on IKEA website)
Drive time: ~40–50 min from downtown Chicago via I-55 South

The southwest-suburbs location. Slightly smaller selection than Schaumburg but accessible for anyone in the Joliet/Aurora corridor. Same core brands, slightly less variety on premium items.

IKEA Pricing Context

IKEA prices Swedish candy roughly 20–40% below specialty retailers because of bulk import volume. A Marabou milk chocolate bar typically runs $2–$4 at IKEA vs $4–$7 at specialty shops. A bag of BUBS candy runs $3–$6 at IKEA vs $6–$10 from online retailers. If pricing matters more than selection, IKEA is the Illinois answer.

Catches: no guarantee any specific product is in stock on any given day, and the Swedish food section is near the exit (you’ll walk through the entire store to get there). Plan an hour minimum if you’re just going for candy.

Nordic Specialty Markets and Delis Across Illinois

Beyond Chicago proper and IKEA, a handful of specialty markets across Illinois carry Swedish imports. Availability changes seasonally, so call ahead if you’re driving. Rockford (northwest Illinois), the North Shore suburbs (Evanston, Wilmette), and the college towns (Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington) each have at least one European or Scandinavian specialty store worth checking if you’re local.

What to ask for when you call: “Do you carry Swedish candy — brands like BUBS, Marabou, Malaco, Ahlgrens, or anything with salmiak or licorice from Scandinavia?” Most shop owners will know immediately whether they stock any.

Online Stores That Ship Reliably to Illinois

1. Mums Swedish Candy — Best Overall Selection

Mums Swedish Candy ships to Illinois in 3–5 business days via USPS Priority Mail. Over 200 products imported directly from Sweden. Free shipping on orders over $50. Good choice for Chicago and suburbs as well as downstate Illinois.

2. Swedish Sweets — Best for Bulk

Swedish Sweets specializes in bulk purchases at lower per-gram pricing. Standard shipping 5–7 days to Illinois. Best option if you’re planning a party, wedding (see our Swedish candy for weddings guide), or office event and need volume.

3. BonBon NYC — Best for Premium and Gifts

NYC-based but ships to Illinois in 2–4 days via expedited shipping. Premium curation including rare finds and artisanal brands. Higher per-item pricing but best for gifting and specialty products. See our BonBon NYC review for a full breakdown.

4. Amazon — Fastest for Illinois Prime Members

Multiple sellers, 1–2 day Prime shipping throughout Illinois. Selection is limited compared to specialty retailers, but the speed is unbeatable for common items like BUBS, Ahlgrens Bilar, and Swedish Fish. Always check seller ratings and read recent reviews — freshness varies by seller. Our Amazon Swedish candy guide flags the reliable sellers.

5. Sockerbit — Best for Swedish Licorice

Swedish-based online store with international shipping. 7–14 day transit to Illinois. Premium for licorice lovers — largest selection of authentic Swedish licorice brands including salmiak varieties.

Quick Comparison: Illinois Options

Option	Selection	Pricing	Delivery	Best For
Andersonville (in-person)	Moderate	Higher	Instant	Unique finds + cultural experience
IKEA Schaumburg/Bolingbrook	Limited (15–25)	Lowest	Instant (driving time)	Budget buyers, popular brands only
Mums Swedish Candy (online)	Massive (200+)	Mid	3–5 days	Broadest selection, free over $50
Swedish Sweets (online)	Large	Low	5–7 days	Bulk orders, events
BonBon NYC (online)	Curated premium	Higher	2–4 days	Gifts, premium items
Amazon (online)	Limited	Variable	1–2 days (Prime)	Fastest for popular items
Sockerbit (international)	Licorice-heavy	Higher	7–14 days	Authentic licorice lovers

Swedish-American Events in Illinois

Illinois hosts several annual events where you can buy Swedish candy imports, often with one-off vendors you won’t find online:

• Andersonville Midsommarfest (second weekend of June, Clark Street Chicago) — biggest annual Swedish-American festival in the Midwest. Multiple vendors sell imports.
• Swedish American Museum events (Andersonville, year-round) — small-scale markets tied to holidays (Lucia in December, Easter, Midsommar).
• Julmarknad (Christmas markets) — the Swedish American Museum hosts an annual Christmas market with imports; some smaller Nordic markets in the suburbs do as well.
• Sweden Day events — occasional events tied to Swedish Consulate visits, Royal Visits, or Swedish Embassy promotional activities.

Ordering From Out-of-State Shops

If your specific candy isn’t available locally, most Swedish candy retailers in other US states ship to Illinois reliably. The transit time from NYC-based retailers is 2–3 days; from California-based retailers 4–6 days. Sockerbit (Swedish-based) takes 7–14 days for international shipping but has the widest licorice selection.

For a state-by-state comparison beyond Illinois, see our guides for Florida, NYC, California, and Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to buy Swedish candy in Chicago?

For in-person shopping, Andersonville on the north side is the densest concentration of Swedish businesses in the city — the Swedish American Museum gift shop and the neighborhood’s grocery stores both carry imports. For the cheapest prices, IKEA Schaumburg (northwest suburbs) or IKEA Bolingbrook (southwest suburbs) have the best per-item pricing on popular brands like BUBS, Marabou, and Ahlgrens Bilar. For the widest selection with delivery, Mums Swedish Candy ships to Chicago in 3–5 business days via USPS Priority with free shipping over $50.

Is there Swedish candy at IKEA Schaumburg or Bolingbrook?

Yes, both Illinois IKEA stores carry Swedish candy in their marketplace section near the checkout. Typical selection is 15–25 products including Ahlgrens Bilar, BUBS gummies, Marabou milk chocolate bars, Daim, and a rotating selection of Swedish licorice and hard candies. Pricing is the cheapest in the state — roughly 20–40% below specialty retailers. Specific availability isn’t guaranteed, so call ahead if you’re driving specifically for a specific brand.

Where can I buy authentic Swedish licorice in Illinois?

Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum gift shop (5211 N Clark St, Chicago) is the most reliable in-person source for authentic Swedish licorice, including real licorice-root varieties and salmiak. For a wider selection, Sockerbit ships to Illinois from Sweden in 7–14 days — they have the largest online selection of Swedish licorice in the US market. IKEA Schaumburg and Bolingbrook carry basic Swedish licorice but usually not premium or extreme-salmiak varieties.

How long does it take to ship Swedish candy to Illinois?

Depends on the retailer. Amazon Prime: 1–2 days to most Illinois addresses for Prime-eligible items. Mums Swedish Candy: 3–5 days via USPS Priority. BonBon NYC: 2–4 days via expedited shipping. Swedish Sweets: 5–7 days via standard shipping (2–3 days available with upgrade). Sockerbit (shipping from Sweden): 7–14 days. For time-sensitive orders (holidays, events), order 2 weeks before you need it regardless of carrier to account for weather delays or customs holds.

Are there Swedish candy stores in Chicago suburbs?

Beyond IKEA, a handful of Nordic specialty markets in the northwest and north-shore suburbs carry Swedish candy as part of a broader European imports selection. Availability changes, so call ahead. Most suburban Chicagoans are better served by IKEA (both Schaumburg and Bolingbrook locations) for basic Swedish candy or by ordering online from Mums, Swedish Sweets, or BonBon NYC for broader selection. In-person specialty stores are more abundant in Andersonville than in the suburbs.

Can I get Swedish candy in downstate Illinois (Springfield, Champaign, Bloomington)?

Not in person — downstate Illinois doesn’t have dedicated Swedish specialty stores. A few European imports shops in college towns carry a small Swedish selection, but selection is limited and inconsistent. Your best option is ordering online: Mums Swedish Candy, Swedish Sweets, BonBon NYC, and Amazon all ship to every Illinois zip code. Shipping times to downstate Illinois are the same as to Chicago — the USPS and UPS networks don’t add meaningful transit time within a single state.

Final Thoughts

For Illinois residents, the Swedish candy options split cleanly along three axes: selection, price, and immediacy. If you want the biggest selection, order online from a US-stocking retailer. If you want the best price, IKEA Schaumburg or Bolingbrook wins. If you want the cultural experience plus unique finds, Andersonville in Chicago is the destination.

Most Illinois Swedish-candy enthusiasts end up using a mix: IKEA runs for bulk basics, Andersonville trips for the curated experience and hard-to-find imports, and online orders for specific brands or larger events. For the product-level recommendations on what to actually buy, see our best Swedish candy to try first and best Swedish candy guides. For flavor context, our what flavor is Swedish candy explainer covers the six flavor pillars so you know what you’re buying before you commit to a 5-lb bulk order.