For 100 years, “Sweetheart Candies” have been a staple of every Valentine’s Day. In fact, they were the 2018 most popular candy for Valentine’s Day.
In July 2018, the New England Confectionery Company(NECCO) closed its doors after 117 years in business. NECCO can trace it’s history back further to the 1840’s due to the merger of several smaller confectionery companies in the Greater Boston area. NECCO produced candies such as Sweethearts, Necco Wafers, and Clark Bars to name a few. Due to bankruptcy, they closed their doors in 2018 and all assets were sold. Spangler Candy Company had the winning bid of $18.83 million. Several transactions happened before Spangler actually acquired the rights for good.
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.
If you come across any Sweethearts for sale this year, they were made prior to the Necco factory closing in July 2018, so you may want to steer clear.