The famous Necco conversation hearts candy is back on shelves just in time for Valentine's Day, but it didn't happen without a few hiccups. Back in 2018 the oldest continuously operating candy company in America, the New England Confectionery Company which created Necco Sweethearts Conversation Hearts, Necco Wafers, Clark Bars, and Sky Bars was dismembered and shut down and sold to Spangler Candy Company of Bryan, Ohio. The changing of hands caused the hearts to be missing-in-action in 2019, but it seems like Sweethearts boxes are finding their way back to the shelves this year.
Where Are the Conversation Hearts?
According to CNBC, the candy company had to endure a long and slow process of moving the Sweethearts' equipment from Necco's shuttered factory in Revere, Massachusetts, to a Spangler Candy Company plant. The move took 60 truckloads, with some pieces requiring a crane to lift the equipment through the roof. The slow process backed up their production, but it was just the start of the numerous roadblocks the Valentine's Day candy had to go through.
Once the equipment was loaded in the factory, workers noticed the heart candy printer which printed phrases like, "I Love You" and "Be Mine" was unreliable and faulty. Spangler bought a new printer and soon, it too broke down. To keep up with orders, many of the candy hearts were placed into candy boxes without sayings.
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Along with the blank hearts, customers can also expect a few retro flavors to be added to the mix. The Spangler Candy Company decided to revert back to the original 118-year old recipe and bring back the banana and wintergreen flavors of the Sweethearts brand.
Where to Find Sweethearts Candy
While the candy won't be in any large box stores, retailers like Walgreens and CVS have been reported as selling the relaunched candy, but make sure to check with your local store for availability.
You could technically look for them on eBay and Amazon too, but you don't know how old those things could be.
How To Make Homemade Conversation Hearts Candy
Make Valentine's Day extra special and create your own Sweethearts box of candy. Delicious and fun to make, these make great party favors.
