Smith Candy to sweeten business with manufacturing center
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ST. MARYS -- Smith Candy is in the process of a company expansion, which will feature a brand new manufacturing center, that is already in the early stages of construction at the corner of Fairview and Stadium drives.
What was once Susan Kay Candies, officially established in 1952 on 33rd Street in Parkersburg, and owned by Howard and Vera Holcomb, was purchased by Mike and Julie Smith 23 years ago, who moved the business to the former Western Auto Building at the corner of Second and Main streets in St. Marys.
"We wanted to bring the shop closer to home," Mike Smith recalled, "not only for economical purposes, but also to include the shop as a new feature of our own community."
The location in St. Marys offered the Smiths new opportunities, and helped unify the shop with local residents. That opened doors for the couple to make direct sales to the public and expand their offerings. The then-new facility also allowed space where they could give tours and the public could see them making the candy, as well as interact with them as it was being made.
After getting established in St. Marys, the business grew, having hundreds of distributors, from the Ohio River to the Puget Sound after being featured in a Seattle-based food show. Smith said the biggest volume seller of their candy is the Tamarack near Beckley along the West Virginia Turnpike.
"They are a good account for us," he said. "We are currently, and have been for some time, the highest volume vendor in there. It's affordable and colorful and fortunately we are right at the door where all the food items are located."
The business has never stopped growing and with so much success, the Smiths decided to keep expanding and are "anticipating the positive impact the manufacturing center will have on the community," regarding the creation of jobs in the area and they "hope to see an economic boost that new sales will generate."
Construction for the manufacturing center began in late September, and is moving rather quickly.
"We hope to be ready before the new year, and are genuinely grateful that our candies remain a staple of this region, and have grown as much as they have. We love the joy that our candies bring to those who enjoy them," he said.