MUNCIE, Ind. — Since 1941, Lowery’s Home Made Candies has been the only chocolate shop in Delaware County to keep traditional chocolate making alive. With Valentine’s Day coming up on Saturday, the chocolate crafters behind the scenes demonstrate how each individual chocolate is made, and what makes these treats different than store-bought assortments.
The business’s story starts in the 1920s, with D. Henry Roller’s recipe originating in Muncie. Roller guided Dee Lowrey, Lowery’s founder, teaching him his skills. Through generations, the business stayed within the family. The current president of the operation, Charles Joseph, is the grandson of Dee Lowery’s first cousin. Joseph is determined to maintain the family's original recipe.
“We still hand dip every single piece individually. Where everyone else has switched over to modern equipment, and rovers like the chocolate waterfall, ” Joseph said. “By continuing the old fashioned tradition of hand-dipping, our chocolates contain no preservatives, no extra oils or minerals so that taste shines through and the quality of the ingredients.”
Behind the scenes, multiple employees can be seen dipping ingredients such as peanuts or caramels into melted chocolate. Chocolatier Cheryl Brown has been with the business for more than 12 years, and she believes still more to learn about the technique each day.
“Learning all the temperatures and ins and outs, all the different marks we make, there's a lot to it,” Brown said. “There’s a lot to be learned.”
One of their most popular items sold for this time of year is the chocolate covered strawberry which is also decorated individually. Customers can choose between making a custom chocolate box with their favorites or pick out a pre-arranged Valentine’s Day assortment.
If you’re in need of a last minute gift idea, Lowery’s also offers online orders which can be delivered straight to your loved ones.
If you’re interested in placing an order or learning more about the shop’s history, you can visit their website for more information.
Contact Allison Branecki with comments at allison.branecki@bsu.edu.
