A lot of chocolate is being made here in the Lehigh Valley ahead of Valentine’s Day this weekend. It’s one of the busiest days of the year for the candy industry. The showroom at Josh Early Candies in South Whitehall was filled with late shoppers just one day before Valentine’s Day, and everyone has a favorite.

“Mine is the chocolate-covered caramels,” said Vicky.

“I like the jalapeno and the habanero chocolates over there in the case,” said Derek.

Whether it’s salty-spicy or silky smooth, the chocolatiers are pumping out hundreds of candies an hour, from the traditional vanilla butter creams to the hand-dipped strawberries—sweet specialties which are only created on Mother’s Day and on Valentine’s Day.  

“I’m turning it, getting all the sides, brushing some of the chocolate off,” said chocolatier Lisa Ulmstead, as she dipped large strawberries into a warm vat of creamy milk chocolate.

Ulmstead talked about what makes these chocolate-covered berries so special.

“I’m sure it’s the cocoa beans and it’s also the love you put into it,” said Ulmstead.

Valentine’s Day is synonymous with Josh Early Candies, which has served gourmet treats to the Lehigh Valley for five generations over more than 120 years.

“We truly wake up every day feeling very blessed that we’re in this position. We try to hold true to what the generations before us established, and keeping in line with that while also remaining relevant to this day and age is kind of the balancing act we do day in, day out,” said co-owner Amy Barnett.  

The National Retail Federation says Valentine’s Day is expected to hit a new record this year, with more than $29 billion being spent and people spending an average of $200 per person.