Though Candy House Gourmet Chocolates yesterday announced it was closing its Joplin stores and factory, its Springfield store will continue under separate ownership.
Bonnie and Adam Nolen, the daughter and son-in-law of company owners Terry and Pat Hicklin, purchased Candy House Springfield in July.
Now, they’re shaking up operations as the Joplin stores are listed for sale. Without a purchase, the Joplin operations would close for good.
“Our Springfield store is going back to the old ways of doing things, producing things by hand. It’s a little overwhelming,” Bonnie Nolen said, noting the store currently buys wholesale from the Joplin factory. “The good thing is that my parents have trained me for this situation. I know where to buy everything.
“I know all the aspects of the candy store.”
As the 3,000-square-foot store in the Parkcrest Center, 3857 S. Campbell Ave., prepares for its second-busiest holiday of Valentine’s Day, the Nolens promoted two temporary workers to full time and now work with six employees.
In Joplin, the Hicklins yesterday closed the original store on Redings Mill Road and are working to sell out the inventory at their 510 S. Kentucky Ave. store that shares space with the factory.
On Facebook, they announced the Joplin closures.
This morning, the Hicklins
said on Facebook they would offer the Joplin stores and factory for sale after an “overwhelming response” to yesterday’s announcement. The Kingsley Group is serving as broker.
In 1999, the Hicklins became the third owners of the company that’s operated since 1970. Nolen came on in 2001 and her husband started in 2010.
Nolen said the couple, who live in Springfield, have no interest in moving to Joplin to purchase the business from her parents.
