Sweethearts candies won’t be on shelves this Valentine’s

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DETROIT - Sweethearts — those chalky little candies with messages on them — won't be on store shelves this Valentine's Day.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/01/2019 (2762 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DETROIT – Sweethearts — those chalky little candies with messages on them — won’t be on store shelves this Valentine’s Day.

The New England Confectionary Co. — or Necco — had been making the popular candies since 1886. But the company filed for bankruptcy protection last spring.

Ohio-based Spangler Candy Co. bought Necco in May. But Spangler said Thursday that it didn’t have time to bring Sweethearts to market this Valentine’s season.

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2009 file photo, colored
FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2009 file photo, colored "Sweethearts" candy is held in bulk prior to packaging at the New England Confectionery Company in Revere, Mass. The candies won't be on store shelves this Valentine's Day. The New England Confectionary Co., or Necco, had been making the popular candies since 1886. But the company filed for bankruptcy protection last spring. Ohio-based Spangler Candy Co. bought Necco in May. But Spangler said Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, that it didn't have time to bring Sweethearts to market this Valentine's season. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

CEO Kirk Vashaw said Spangler wants to make sure Sweethearts “meet customer expectations” when they return to market. He didn’t say what changes Spangler plans to make or when they’ll go back on sale.

Competitors like Brach’s are still making conversation hearts. But online retailer CandyStore.com says Sweethearts were by far the most popular brand, commanding 80 per cent of U.S. market for candy hearts.

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