Candy maker ready for Valentine’s gifts, Easter baskets
By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Bolton—For a company that makes chocolates, the busy season is at hand.
Colonial Candies, which turns out a wide variety of chocolate goodies in its kitchen here, is ready, with a dizzying array of heart-shaped boxes and gifts for Valentine’s Day, and Easter items waiting in the wings.
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, and are sold in the store. The entire operation is in the large white Colonial building visible from I-495.
This marks the 100th year the family behind Colonial has been in the candy business. Richard and Grace Hebert started the current business in 1978, but Richard’s grandfather launched the family candy business back in 1917, and Richard has been making candy since he was 14.
For Valentine’s Day, heart-shaped boxes in all sizes, from two ounces of candy to two pounds, fill the store.
“We have 20 to 30 different heart boxes,” from 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.
Right after Valentine’s Day, the Heberts convert their store to a headquarters for Easter shopping.
Colonial sells chocolate rabbits in almost every size; most are solid chocolate except for the very largest ones. Those large ones are each 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.
New this year are Easter baskets actually made of chocolate in three sizes, which Grace pointed out can be filled with other small candies.
“We have the old-fashioned panoramic eggs in various sizes, handmade for us right here in Massachusetts,” Richard noted. Panoramic eggs are a decorated sugar shell with a window at one end and a scene inside. Many customers now collect these eggs, adding a different scene each year.
While Colonial Candies has everything needed to fill an Easter basket, the store sells pre-filled baskets in assorted sizes and styles. The store also features Easter-themed stuffed animals and other gift items.
“We have it all. The variety is phenomenal,” Grace said.
The Easter Bunny will be on hand at Colonial Candies for the two weekends before Easter weekend. “We encourage people to bring their camera and take pictures of the children with the Easter Bunny,” she 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 crispy rice square, 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.