Finding a Boston candy store isn’t exactly a challenge. But what about wholesale suppliers that sell bulk candy? Luckily, in such a massive city that revolves around tourism trends and enticing attractions, retailers and eateries should have no problems finding wholesale products in the candy department.
In this article, we’re going to outline the key details pertaining to several Boston candy suppliers. Now, let’s dive into several brands that can help sweeten your product line!
4 Best Boston Candy Suppliers
There is a stark difference between the products in candy stores Boston has to offer, vs. the wholesale candy Boston-based businesses purchase in bulk quantities of. In other words, the packaging, product listings, and prices that one might find in a Boston candy store will vary tremendously from what’s in a wholesale supplier’s catalog.
When stocking up on candies for your eatery or another kind of business entity, there are a handful of suppliers you should consider. And lucky for all those reading this who operate a food service business in the Greater Boston area, all of these suppliers are local. Read on:
1. Harbor Sweets
Location: Salem, MA
Handmade chocolate is a luxurious category of candy that not all businesses offer their customers. However, restaurants, hotels, and retail stores can purchase it in bulk from Harbor Sweets.
Wholesale clients can purchase goods directly from Harbor Sweets. Unsure of what to buy in bulk? We get it--choosing just one product type can be a challenge! Consider the following options from Harbor Sweets:
- Truffles
- Caramel candies
- Assorted chocolates
- Salted chocolates
- Chocolate sauces
- Ice cream toppings
- Gluten-free chocolates
Sweetest Product: To nobody's surprise, Harbor Sweets is mostly known for their handmade chocolates. One in particular that stands out is the Sweet Sloops recipe. These sweet treats are almond buttercrunch toffee with pecans, covered in white and dark chocolate. The best part? They stick to the New England theme and are made to look like sailboats!
2. EHChocolatier
Location: Cambridge, MA
EHChocolatier is a shop and candy wholesaler right outside of Boston in the city of Cambridge. They supply entities spanning the entire hospitality industry with some of the finest chocolate products. From restaurants and hotels to gourmet shops and catering companies, they have quite an extensive customer base.
EHChocolatier offers the ultimate variety to businesses that sell a ton of chocolate. The company's catalog consists of the following products:
- Artisan candy bars
- Sipping chocolates
- Chocolate bonbons
- Solid chocolate bars
- Vegan and dairy free chocolates
Sweetest Product: The craftsmanship at EHChocolatier might be more sought-after than the chocolates themselves. However, their artisanal sweets, like their truffles, are some of the company's best-sellers.
3. Taza Chocolate
Location: Somerville, MA
Sure, chocolate candies might be full of sugar. However, there are definitely ways of making them just a tad bit better for your health. That's what Taza specializes in. All of their chocolate is certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, kosher, and vegan. Talk about checking all the boxes!
From chocolates with gritty textures to candies that are silky-smooth, you'll be able to get something for everyone when you shop from Taza. See below for their product line:
- Dark bark
- Chocolate bars
- Chocolate discs
- Chocolate snacks
- Smooth & crunchy bars
- Chocolate covered snacks
Sweetest Product: Taza's stone ground dark chocolate is certainly their stand-out product, as it's unlike anything else on the market. By grinding organic cacao beans to create chocolate bars, discs, and other treats, everything has an unmistakably bold flavor with unique textures.
4. Arcade Snacks
Location: Auburn, MA
If you're shopping for more than just candy, Arcade Snacks will be perfect for your business! Arcade Snacks delivers bulk products to numerous businesses in the Boston area. They also deliver to as far as central Massachusetts. Some of their most popular snacks include gummies, licorice, hard candies, spicy candy, caramels, and chocolates.
Arcade Snacks also sells items for various occasions. For instance, you can stock up on birthday, graduation, and holiday-centric candies. That way, you can distribute specialty products when the appropriate time of year rolls around.
But let's take a moment to appreciate the massive variety Arcade Snacks has to offer. In addition to candy, they also sell the following:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Mints
- Dried fruits
- Trail mixes
- Snack mixes
- Peanut butter
- Sugar-free snacks
Sweetest Product: It's safe to say that Arcade Snacks is most well-known for their nuts, freeze dried fruit, and seed mixes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Candy
Finding a wholesale candy business to source all your products or ingredients from is just the beginning. If you'd like to learn more about the bulk candy Boston has to offer, check out the FAQ section below!
Is Becoming a Boston Candy Wholesaler a Lucrative Venture?
Yes, opening a Boston candy wholesale distribution company can be an extremely lucrative venture. For one, Boston is a city that welcomes thousands of tourists every day. That alone makes businesses like candy shops and chocolatiers in dire need of a wholesale candy supply company. Then, you have countless restaurants and hotels that need to have related goods in their inventory.
What Are Some of the Best Boston Candy Suppliers?
Some of the best Boston candy suppliers include the following companies:
- Harbor Sweets
- Arcade Snacks
- Taza Chocolate
- EHChocolatier
What Candy Is Boston Famous For?
Boston is most famous for several types of candies, many of which were products of the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO). Some of their products include NECCO Sweethearts and Wafers. The historic city is also known for other types of candy, like Mary Jane's and Junior Mints.
What Is the Most Popular Candy In Massachusetts?
According to a recent study, Butterfingers is the most popular candy in all of Massachusetts. With this in mind, chocolate and peanut butter sweets are always a safe bet in the New England area.
Is the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) Still Around?
No, the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO is no longer in business. The company shut down in 2018 after filing for bankruptcy. But why was NECCO such a big deal in the wholesale candy market?
Well, some might argue that the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) was the first entity to mass distribute wholesale candy. The company had been operating since the 1840s. And after numerous mergers with Boston-based candy stores, they quickly became an industry leader within the candy market.
Even a large portion of the candy making supplies Boston, MA distributors were using came from NECCO. After all, they certainly had the resources and candy warehouse space for the mass distribution of various product types.
NECCO has a lengthy history of selling wholesale products. They offered a vast selection of their classic candies in bulk, which were suitable for stores, events, and other large-scale needs. Some of their best-selling candies that they sold wholesale include:
- Necco Wafers
- Sweethearts
- Clark Bars
- Mary Jane Candies
- Candy Buttons
- Sky Bar
After the company came to a close, their products and brands were acquired by a number of food and beverage companies. If you’d like to purchase some of NECCO’s products today, you can do so through the Spangler Candy Company.
What Foods Are Boston Known For?
Boston is known for the following foods:
- Lobster rolls
- Steamed lobster
- Boston baked beans
- Boston cream donuts
- New England clam chowder
Wholesale Goods to Sweeten Up Your Product Line
Various businesses can add candy to their product offerings in some shape or form. Whether you’re a hotel looking to supply each room with chocolates or a gift shop needing to stock up on souvenir candy, there are several choices that many types of companies can select. But now that you’re familiar with a handful of premier Boston candy suppliers, you can finally start sweetening up your product line, customer experience, and beyond.