[ad_1]
st. MARYS — Smith Candy is in the process of expanding the company, featuring a brand new manufacturing center already in early construction on the corner of Fairview Drive and Stadium Drive.
Formally established in 1952 on 33rd Street in Parkersburg and owned by Howard and Vera Holcomb, Susan Kay Candies was purchased 23 years ago by Mike and Julie Smith. Second and Main Streets of St. Mary’s.
“I want to make the store more accessible” Mike Smith recalled: “Not just for economic purposes, we can also include the shop as a new feature of our own community.”
Being in St. Mary’s has provided the Smiths with new opportunities and helped integrate the shop with the local population. This opened the door for the couple to sell directly to the public and expand their offerings. The then-new facility also provided a space where they could conduct tours, and the public could see them making the candies and interact with them as they were being made.
After being established in St. Mary’s, the business grew and had hundreds of distributors from the Ohio River to the Puget Sound after being featured at a Seattle-based food show. The biggest seller of their candy, Smith said, is the West He Tamarack near Beckley along the Virginia Turnpike.
“They are good accounts for us.” He said. “We are, and have been for some time, the most volume vendor out there.
The business never stopped growing, and after much success, the Smiths decided to continue expanding. “We expect the manufacturing center to have a positive impact on the local community.” Regarding job creation in the region “We expect the economic boost that the new sales will generate.”
Construction on the manufacturing center began in late September and is progressing fairly quickly.
“We hope to be ready before the New Year and are truly grateful that our candy continues to be a staple in the region and is growing as ever. We love the joy our candies bring to those who enjoy them.” He said.
[ad_2]
Source link