For Vicki Good, chocolate has long been a major part of life.
Dee Lowery, Good's second cousin, started Lowery's Candies in 1941. Lowery started the candy store during World War II and used her sugar rationing coupons to buy supplies for her store.
Good's father was a real estate agent when Lowery asked him to list the candy store in 1963. Instead of trying to sell the store, Good's father decided to buy it. Good remembers her father calling the family together to have a meeting after he purchased the store. She was not happy with the news or with her father's saying that she and her siblings were going to help.
In 1966, Good started working at Lowery's Candies part time at the age of 16. In 1975, Good started working full time at the store. Now Good loves the candy store.
"It's a really fun, casual place to work," she said.
Selling about 8,000 pounds of candy for Valentine's Day, Lowery's stays busy during February. The candy makers make about 500 pounds a day to keep up with the sales.
"The day before Valentine's Day is our single busiest day," said Good. "Men wait until the last minute and will buy anything to keep themselves out of trouble," Good added with a smile.
During the week of Valentine's Day, ten people make the candies while another ten people work in sales and prepare the boxes of candies.
Despite the endless work, Good and the other Lowery's employees enjoy themselves during their busiest season.
"It's real, real busy, but it's only two weeks and we have fun," said Good.
Good believes chocolate is a popular gift for Valentine's Day because "women are chocoholics and men buy it because it is such a tradition."
Chocolate is popular also because it's a comfort food, said Good. Lowery's is busier on cloudy days due a desire for chocolate and its comforting effects.
Lowery's is the only candy store in Muncie, which keeps the store extra busy.
"There aren't any other candy stores in Muncie, because we put them out of business," added another Lowery's employee, laughing and demonstrating the store's fun, friendly environment.
Lowery's Candies ships everywhere in the U.S. It has gained its widespread customer base through word of mouth. Ball State graduates who have moved elsewhere account for part of the out-of-state orders.
Alice Bartle is one of the candy makers at Lowery's. Bartle has been making candy for almost 20 years. While seated behind one of the large machines that melt the chocolate, Bartle's hands methodically move to create the bite-sized candies.
"It's fun. I like to dip the candy, and it's unique," said Bartle. "It kind of makes you feel good when you are doing something unique that a lot of people don't even know exists. And we get to eat the candy. That helps too."
Bartle enjoys the atmosphere of Lowery's.
"We have a lot of fun," said Bartle. " We really have good bosses. Vicki is just like family."
Lowery's Candies offers a variety of chocolates and candies that cater to many different tastes. Some of the store's most popular items include the peanut butter creams, pecan nut rolls, and the Lowery's trademark tiger paws that are similar to turtle candies.
The cream candies come in flavors such as vanilla, mint, and various fruit flavors. Dark chocolate candies and sugar-free candies are also available.
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