No Sweethearts for this Valentine’s Day
Company that makes the conversation heart candies went out of business
For those who struggle to find the right words to say to their significant other this Valentine’s Day, there will be one less option this year to express those feelings.
Sweethearts will be missing from the shelves this year, as the company that makes the candy, the New England Confectionary Co., went out of business.
According to candystore.com, the conversation heart candies are the most popular confection for the holiday, pulling in $1.8 billion in sales. The candies are known for classic sayings such as, “Be Mine” and “Cutie Pie.”
This year, sales for the conversation hearts are ex-
pected to drop by more than 80 percent.
Necco folded in July 2018 after operating for more than 100 years. Along with Sweethearts, the company produced Mary Janes, Necco Wafers and Clark bars.
Panic-buying ensued from shoppers in March 2018 after the news broke that Necco may be folding, with sales jumping more than 50 percent.
Necco was later bought in an auction by Round Hill Investments, who then sold the company to Spangler Candy Co. in September. With only five months left until Valentine’s Day, Spangler did not have enough time to produce a large number of Sweethearts.
However, the beloved candy will be back next year. Kirk Vashaw, the CEO of Spangler Candy Co., told the website: “We are looking forward to announcing the relaunch of Sweethearts for the 2020 Valentine’s Day season.”
You can still find the beloved candy now – but it will cost a pretty penny.
Amazon is selling boxes starting at $9, and on eBay, an eight-pack box of candies is going for $12.