Boston, MA - October 7, 2019 - Hilliards Chocolates, one of New England’s most beloved artisan brands, is taking its business to the next level with the opening of a larger candy-making kitchen. The physical expansion will help satisfy the increasing demand for its handmade chocolates and confections available at three retail stores in south suburban Boston and online. In November 2018, Hilliards experienced a dramatic boost in sales when its holiday peppermint bark was named among Oprah’s Favorite Things.
“We were in the midst of the development of the new facility when company sales skyrocketed due to the national recognition,” explained Judy Hilliard McCarthy who co-owns and operates the company with her husband Charlie and daughters Erin and Maegan. “We pushed ourselves to the limit to successfully meet the influx of orders, but now, with our new state-of-the-art kitchen, we’re in a much better position to expand our consumer customer base as well as grow corporate gift giving and wholesale orders,” she continued.
According to McCarthy, Hilliards had been creating, staging, and shipping all of its products from a 2,300 square foot central kitchen within its flagship store located in North Easton, Massachusetts. Now, its skilled chocolatiers and candymakers work within a production area approximately three times that size. Also, while inventory used to be housed off-site, the new structure brings greater efficiency with 7,000 square feet of warehouse space as well as dedicated areas for mail order functions and package design.
Over the years, Hilliards has offered signature products, such as their best selling Almond Toffee Crunch, that have endured the test of time. However, with an eye on culinary trends, the company regularly introduces new products that satisfy a more adventurous sweet tooth. Their new Craft Beer Caramels flavored with local Shovel Town Brewery’s Double IPA beer won “2019 Best New Piece” at the annual Retail Confectioners International Conference.
“Hilliards is evolving and growing, but we will always stay true to our signature recipes and make everything by hand using top quality ingredients,” said McCarthy. “We have four generations of family tradition to uphold and owe it to the generations of loyal customers who have contributed to our success.”
More About Hilliards Chocolates
Founded in 1924 in Quincy, Massachusetts, by Perley and Jessie Hilliard, Hilliards is a family owned business in its fourth generation. As Perley and Jessie grew their business, they also grew their family, having seven children. In 1950, their son Alan opened Hilliards Kitch-In-Vue (as the candy was made in front of the customers) in North Easton. Located in a white and blue trimmed colonial house and known for the giant box of chocolates affixed to its facade, the flagship store has been drawing crowds of candy lovers for decades. In 1981, Judy and her husband Charlie McCarthy purchased Hilliards Kitch-In-Vue from previous generations as it was nearing bankruptcy and renamed it Hilliards House of Candy. Today, they operate Hilliards Chocolates comprised of a growing online business and three retail locations on Boston’s South Shore in North Easton, Norwell, and Mansfield. Another interesting aspect of Hilliards company history is that Judy’s grandfather, Perley, invented chocolate tempering machines and enrobers. Hilliards Chocolate System, purchased by a former employee and friend of the family in 1985, remains a major supplier of chocolate equipment for retail candy businesses nationwide.
