Update, 1/24/19: While Necco hearts will indeed not be sold this year, there are two new Pressing Candy Updates you must know. Firstly, Fortune reports Spangler Candy Co., the company that took over the rights to Necco's iconic brands, confirmed they'd return in 2020.
Secondly, Brach's continues to sell THE. EXACT. SAME. THING.
Happy almost Valentine's Day. Everything is fine.
Original post, 7/27/18: I remember fake smiling when I would get a box of chalky candy hearts on Valentine's Day in elementary school. They taste like Tums! Still, they were always a cute Valentine's tradition and we all assumed they always would be. The little hearts futures are uncertain, though. According to The Boston Globe, Necco, the brand that makes them, had its factory suddenly shut down after being sold to another candy manufacturer.
In May, Necco was bought out by Round Hill Investments LLC during a bankruptcy auction for 17.3 million dollars, per The Globe. The company said in a statement they were "very excited to acquire Necco's historic brands" and "be part of their national resurgence." However, Round Hill decided to sell Necco to another candy manufacturer and close operations at the plant in Massachusetts after the owner complained he wasn't clued in about sanitation issues.
Round Hill has not announced the identity of the new owner, and it's unclear whether or not production of the candy will continue. Fingers crossed that the country's oldest continuously operating candy company (171 years!) can be revived by this new mystery owner.
Just in case, though: you better stock up on your chalky wafers, hearts, and candy buttons while you can.
PRE-ORDER NOW Delish Cookbook, indiebound.org
