When everything is in shambles, at least we can rely on sweet American staples like Necco wafers, Clark Bars, and Sweethearts to bring us happiness — right? Wrong. As of July 24th, the 171-year-old Necco plant unexpectedly shut down, and is NASA still looking for people to colonize Mars? We need to get away from this planet.
The story of the Necco company almost had a happy ending. In March 2018, The Boston Globe reported that the Massachusetts-based candy company was struggling and planned to close down. But after outraged Necco fans rallied support for their beloved candy company, multiple buyers came to its rescue. Round Hill Investments LLC bought the Necco company via an emergency auction in May, and things were looking up for the factory and its 230 employees as Round Hill vowed to keep the factory open until at least November.
But after buying the Necco name and assets for $17.3 million in May, earlier this month, Round Hill turned around and sold Necco to an undisclosed buyer. It was Necco’s new parent company that ultimately decided that there was no future for the historic candy plant.
“After careful engagement and consideration,” a Round Hill Investments statement read, per FoodAndWine.com, “the firm decided to sell the brands to another national confection manufacturer and today announced the closure of the operations in Revere, Massachusetts.”
RIP #Necco a New England staple. I feel so badly for the employees who abruptly lost their jobs 😢 https://t.co/qCy2ufdzEI
— Coco (@cocokitty14) July 25, 2018
Employees of America’s oldest, continuously operating candy company were just as shocked as Necco fans were to hear of the plant’s closing. One employee told the Globe that earlier this week, he and his coworkers were read a statement about severance pay and were then told not to show up on Wednesday, July 25th.
Massachusetts has sent in aid to help former Necco employees find new jobs as the general public questions the ethics of the entire situation.
Perhaps it’s not too late for Necco. The company was saved once, so why couldn’t someone swoop in and save it again? Until more is learned about the candy company’s closure, you might want to stock up on all your favorite Necco products… just in case.
Obsessed with candy like we are? We highly recommend these DIY candy bars, which are as tasty as they are pretty.
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2UZl64NzA0"]Who else is experiencing a sugar rush right now?
