Candy sales still sweet

By Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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The South Bend Chocolate Company is on track for sales to increase this year 3-5 percent. Nationally, candy sales are up 2.7 percent from this time last year. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 2, 2009 at 3:35 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 6, 2009 at 10:07 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — More people may be out of a job these days, but they are not out of chocolate.

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"Business is great,” said Mark Tarner, owner of the South Bend Chocolate Company. “We’re booming … the stores are busy and sales are strong.”

The company is on track for sales to increase this year 3-5 percent.

At Claeys Candy, which turns 90 years old this year, employees are just as busy.

“Since most of last year and this year we’ve been working six days a week,” said President Gregg Claeys. "Our purchase orders are ahead of last year.”

According to the confectioners industry, candy sales are up 2.7 percent from this time last year. Why? Perhaps it’s because that chocolate and candy makes us happy.

“Chocolate is a comfort food,” said Tarner. “It’s a food we enjoy … it’s an affordable luxury.”

“I totally agree with that,” said one customer as she ordered some chocolates from South Bend Chocolate Company’s downtown café. “Chocolate is a girl’s best friend. I’d take chocolate over diamonds any day!”

It’s a treat, they say, that’s a lot easier to make us feel rich … even when times are tough.

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