Mar 30, 2010

Marie’s Candies a flurry of activity in West LibertyBy Matt SanctisSpringfieldNewsSun.com

West Liberty — Since January, employees at Marie’s Candies in West Liberty have been busy preparing for Easter, lining the shelves with thousands of chocolate rabbits and decorating cream-filled eggs the size of softballs.

The store, which has been family-owned since the 1950s, makes a big deal out of Easter. In a small factory separated into just a couple of rooms, its employees churn out more than 7,000 chocolate bunnies and 8,000 cream-filled eggs for customers across the country.

Rebecca Craig, the store’s manager, whose grandparents started the business, said Easter is the second-busiest holiday all year. The only time they sell more candy and chocolate is Christmas.

On Monday, March 29, customers packed the candy shop, located in a historic train depot that was restored in the mid-1990s.

Cindy Weikart of Bellefontaine said she added a few Easter-themed chocolates to her basket, along with other items. Weikart said she’s a repeat customer who stops in every couple of months to satisfy her sweet tooth.

“For me, it’s the fact that I know it’s some of the best chocolate candy around,” she said.

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