By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Bolton—With Valentine’s Day right around the corner and Easter falling on Sunday, March 27, Colonial Candies is ready to meet all the sweet demands of those holidays—and has some suggestions for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day as well.
Richard and Grace Hebert opened their candy manufacturing and retail business in 1978, in the large white Colonial building visible from I-495. Richard’s grandfather started the family candy business back in 1917, and Richard has been making candy since he was 14.
Colonial’s chocolates are made by hand in a basement manufacturing facility, everything from caramels to chocolate pops to chocolate-covered Oreos to an Easter bunny almost two feet tall.
For Valentine’s Day, heart-shaped boxes in all sizes, from four pieces of candy to three pounds, fill the store.
“We have 20 to 30 different styles of heart boxes,” from very traditional red velvet to contemporary looks such as hot pink with a big bow, Grace said.
Valentine’s Day is the only occasion when Colonial giftwraps boxes of candy in advance. “The guys come rushing in here, grab a box and are out in five minutes,” Grace laughed. To serve those last-minute shoppers, the store stays open “as long as people are coming” that day.
In addition to the candy-filled hearts, there are milk, dark and white chocolate pops shaped like roses, a huge variety of stuffed animals with Valentine’s messages, greeting cards and jewelry.
Colonial will always giftwrap purchases at no charge, and can also ship purchases for customers.
The day after Valentine’s Day, the Heberts convert their store to a headquarters for Easter merchandise, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand for the two weekends before the Easter weekend. “We encourage people to bring their camera and take pictures of the children with the Easter Bunny,” Grace said.
Colonial sells chocolate rabbits in almost every size; most are solid chocolate except for the very largest ones. Those large ones are about 6 lbs. of chocolate and each is individually made by hand.
The chocolate pops are shaped like rabbits, ducks, flowers and other seasonal symbols. There is a wide assortment of chocolate eggs with various fillings and jelly beans in every flavor.
“We have the old-fashioned panoramic eggs in various sizes, handmade for us by a local artisan,” Grace noted. Panoramic eggs are a sugar shell with a window at one end and a scene inside.
The store also features Easter-themed stuffed animals and other gift items.
While Colonial Candies has everything needed to fill an Easter basket, the store also sells pre-filled baskets in assorted sizes and styles.
For Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, Colonial Candies has boxes and boxes of handmade chocolates, both mixed assortments and full boxes of favorites.
Customers can also order Colonial Candies’ chocolates online at www.colonialcandies.com, but the company does not ship chocolates during warm weather months. “We don’t like to take the chance of the candy getting there melted,” Richard said.
Colonial Candies sells ice cream and offers a make-your-own-sundae bar all year round, adding soft-serve flavors in the summer.
The spot is a popular place for children’s birthday parties as well.
“We call the parties Candy Camp. The children dip a Rice Krispy treat, a pretzel and a marshmallow in chocolate and put sprinkles on. They get to see the candy manufacturing operation downstairs and then can make their own sundaes,” Grace said.
Colonial Candies is located at 47 Sugar Rd. in Bolton, right at exit 27 on I-495. It is open Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. now and stays open later in warm weather. For more information, call 978-779-6586 or visit the website, www.colonialcandies.com.