Necco Factory Shuttered, And Fans Are Panic Buying The Candy
The future of Necco is looking grim after the firm that saved it abruptly shuttered the iconic confectioner's Massachusetts factory. Round Hill Investments purchased the classic candy company at bankruptcy auction for $17.3 million on May 31 (after Spangler Candy Company's winning $18.83 million bid fell apart). On July 24, the brand was sold to another candy manufacturer, and approximately 230 workers were let go on the spot at a "town-hall-style meeting" held in the cafeteria, the Boston Globe reports.
"Round Hill Investments was very excited to acquire Necco's historic brands and to be part of their national resurgence," a company spokesperson told the paper. "After careful engagement and consideration, however, the firm decided to sell the brands to another national confection manufacturer and today announced the closure of the operations in Revere, Massachusetts."
4% GDP growth and workers at #NECCO are picking up their last paychecks today after an unknown entity suddenly decided to close America's oldest operating candy maker. This is the Trump economy: CEOs reaping huge profits and workers seeing none of the growth. pic.twitter.com/hzH51kWMpK
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) July 27, 2018
The new owner has not been identified, and it is unclear at this time whether or not candy production at the factory will resume. Necco, which was founded in 1901, is famous for its Necco Wafers, Clark bars, Candy Buttons, and Sweethearts. In April, when panicked fans thought the confectioner would soon cease to exist, sales spiked more than 82 percent and one woman even offered to trade her car for the remaining stock. The latest news has inspired similar hysteria.
"Did I just buy a ridiculous amount of Necco wafers after hearing that the plant has closed? Yes. Yes, I did," @jbf1755 wrote on Twitter.
Did I just buy a ridiculous amount of Necco wafers after hearing that the plant has closed?
Yes.
Yes, I did.— Joanne Freeman (@jbf1755) July 25, 2018
"Just bought 16 rolls of NECCO wafers. Gonna savor them like Charlie with his chocolate bar," @johnburnsnc said.
Just bought 16 rolls of NECCO wafers. Gonna savor them like Charlie with his chocolate bar.
— John D. Burns (@johnburnsnc) July 26, 2018
"BUY THE NECCOS. ALL THE NECCOS," @KarenCover said.
BUY THE NECCOS
ALL THE NECCOS@NeccoBrands #necco pic.twitter.com/uuezyawNpw— Karen Cover (@KarenCover) July 29, 2018
"Stocking up," @jr68_m said.
Stocking up.#necco pic.twitter.com/dzKIejYcaP
— MJoseph Nicholson (@jr68_m) July 26, 2018
The Daily Meal has reached out to Necco and Round Hill for comment. We have our fingers crossed in hope that the iconic brands don't dissipate, but it wouldn't be the first time good eats have been ripped from the public's grasp. Take a stroll down memory lane with these 9 discontinued snack foods we wish they'd bring back.