Classic Valentine’s Day candy may be missing this year
Article Published by: today.com
Candy lovers will have to find a new way to express their love.
One of America’s favorite (or most divisive) candies for Valentine’s Day may be in short supply this year.
The makers of classic Sweethearts, known for the cute messages imprinted on each candy heart like “Be Mine,” “Cutie Pie” and “Kiss Me,” say that the sweet treat won’t be returning to store shelves until Valentine’s season in 2020.
Spangler Candy Company, the makers of Dum Dums lollipops and Circus peanuts, purchased NECCO Wafers — and its other brands like Sweethearts — in 2018 after the company went out of business and the original factory closed.
In a press release on the Spangler Company’s official website, Spangler Chairman and CEO Kirk Vashaw said, “We look forward to announcing the Sweethearts relaunch for the 2020 Valentine season.” So basically that means there will be no new packs of Sweethearts for valentines to hand out in 2019 and anything that you find online or on store shelves was made prior to the factory closing in July 2018, according to the company. A different representative from Spangler added that while they are “aiming” to get the candies out by next year, it might not be a sure thing, so the company is advising fans to check out its social media channels.
What’s a tongue-tied person in love to do? After all, according to CandyStore.com, Sweethearts were the most popular Valentine’s candy in the U.S. in 2018, and 8 billion were made annually in years prior to satisfy that demand.
Well, there are plenty of the brand’s conversation hearts for sale on Amazon and Ebay, though they won’t be fresh. And while this type of hard candy may be able to last for up to a year, its quality might be compromised. If you do get a pack and it’s sticky or really grainy, candy experts say it’s best to just toss it since it won’t be such a sweet gift if it makes your lover sick.
Consumers may also opt for an alternate treat, like Jelly Belly’s Conversation Beans or Cupid Messages M&M’s, to send a loved one a romantic note. Brach’s also makes Conversation Hearts and Wonka’s SweeTarts Hearts contain embossed messages, too.
But there’s nothing quite like classic Sweethearts. According to Spangler, Sweethearts have been around since the 1860s. Over the years, they’ve even changed a little with the times, to include messages like “Fax Me,” and now “Tweet Me.”
“Many people have memories of sorting through their box of Sweethearts to find just the right message to share,” said Vashaw in the press release.
Here’s hoping the conversation hearts do make a sweet comeback in 2020.
About Scott Livengood
Scott Livengood is the owner and CEO of Dewey’s Bakery, Inc., a commercial wholesale bakery with a respected national brand of ultra premium cookies and crackers.
Previously, Scott worked at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for 27 years, starting as a trainee in 1977. He was appointed President of the company in 1992, then CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Scott has served on numerous boards including the Carter Center, the Calloway School of Business and the Babcock School of Management, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, and the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.
He started a new business, StoryWork International, in 2016 with Richard Stone. The signature achievement to date is LivingStories, a story-based program for improved patient experiences and outcomes in partnership with Novant Health.
