MUHLENBERG TWP. Pa.- Heart boxes are stacking up. Inside Billy’s Homemade Candies in Muhlenberg Township, Valentine’s week is officially on.
“Valentine’s Day, historically, is kind of a last-minute holiday,” said Tricia Kummerer, owner of Billy’s Homemade Candies. “So, this week has definitely been getting gradually busier. And we expect it to just get even busier as the week goes on.”
This store has been here since 1935. Four owners. Same recipes. Same chocolate.
“People love chocolate-covered strawberries,” Kummerer said. “So, the next few days are just us coming in in the morning and prepping a whole lot of strawberries every day.”
This is one of the busiest weeks of the year here at Billy’s Candies in Muhlenberg Township. And if you look around, it’s red, pink, and chocolate everywhere and that means more sales.
The National Retail Federation says Americans are expected to spend a record $29 billion this Valentine’s Day. Nearly $200 per shopper. And candy remains the number one gift.
Here, that also means long hours.
“We’ve had some people calling about extended hours,” Kummerer said. “But I think especially with Valentine’s Day being on Saturday this year, we’re going to be open a little later both those nights to give a little extra time for people to pick up their gifts.”
And of course, supporting local, she says, is always appreciated.
“I think Billy’s is kind of a gem,” Kummerer said. “There’s not a lot of places like this around anymore. And so I think once you have had our chocolate, it kind of speaks for itself.”