National Travel & Tourism Week continues today with Marie’s Candies in West Liberty.
Marie’s Candies was started by owner Rebecca Craig’s grandparents, Marie and Winfred King. In 1941, Winfred was a farmer who got polio and couldn’t work anymore, thus being wheelchair-bound. Everyone in the West Liberty community was very helpful during this difficult time. In turn, Marie started making candy as thank-you gifts to show her appreciation to people for their help. Marie then went into the candy business in 1956 and it became a way of living.
Rebecca’s parents, Jay and Kathy, owned Marie’s for almost 40 years as a second generation.
Rebecca and her brother, Shannon King, are third-generation owners and have been since 2016.
Marie’s Candies’ location was originally a historical train depot and has since been relocated and restored to its current, quaint shop.
Regarding the popularity of Marie’s, Craig said, “The attraction to Marie’s Candies is that it’s chocolate and candy and that always makes people happy.” “Candy is something fun to shop for and give as special gifts.”
In terms of customer attraction, Marie’s hosts’ bus tours where groups can watch a video about how Marie’s makes its candy and learn about the business history. Samples are unique to Marie’s because every customer is greeted with one.
Craig explains why Marie’s Candies is very popular and unique:
Marie’s Candies partners with local businesses. This month’s business of the month is Ohio Caverns. In their honor, “Crystal Kings” were created. These treats are Bugle corn-chips covered in a white coating that tastes like white chocolate. Once they’re coated, they look like a formation of the Crystal King stalactite from Ohio Caverns. A postcard from the Ohio Caverns is packaged in each box of candies that gives information on the Crystal King.
Craig explains Ohio Caverns’ partnership with their Crystal King candies:
Tradition is a big factor as to why people gravitate towards Marie’s Candies. For many, it’s become a family tradition. Part of Marie’s success is due to following recipes that Marie created when she first started. All the chocolates are made in the factory, next to the store, in small batches and are made with care.
The team has fun creating themes and gifts for each holiday. For Mother’s Day, the theme is Mushroom and Hedgehogs. The table below shows plush hedgehogs, mushroom oreos, chocolate mushrooms, and notebooks that have mushrooms on the front, in addition to other gifts.
The other theme for Mother’s Day is Garden Floral. Everything coordinates, such as the gift wrap, ceramic trays, kitchen canisters, and mugs, that all match the design and can be purchased.
In addition, there’s a design room specifically used for the designer and staff to put together all the gift wrapping and bows to create fancy gifts.
Marie’s Candies is located at 311 Zanesfield Road, West Liberty, OH 43357, and is open 10 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday.
Their phone number is (937)-465-3061.
To shop online or learn more about Marie’s Candies, visit their website here.
