Joplin’s Candy House wins U.S. chamber award

Candy House owner Terry Hicklin said the award is a “tremendous honor” that keeps getting better as he learns more about it. He said he won’t actually receive the award until the annual America’s Small Business Summit 2008, April 16–18 in Washington, D.C.

“I don’t know if it’s really sunk in yet,” Hicklin said. “I don’t know if I really understand the magnitude of it. I think it’s kind of one of those things that won’t sink in until I get there.”

The award is sponsored by Sam’s Club and is designed to honor businesses that excel in financial performance, business history, staff training, community involvement, customer service, business planning and other areas.

Joplin-based Candy House is one of only 55 businesses nationwide to receive the Blue Ribbon honor. One Blue Ribbon honoree will be selected from each of seven regions as a finalist for the U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year Award. Those finalists will be announced March 7. An overall winner will be chosen from among those seven finalists.

Candy House began in 1970 by Don and Peggy Richardson and was known for many years as Richardson’s Candy House. Terry and Pat Hicklin purchased the company in 1999, taking the original Candy House in Reddings Mill and adding three locations, including a new candy factory with cold storage in Joplin. Candy House’s Springfield stores are at 3857 S. Campbell Ave. and 2936 E. Sunshine St.

The Candy House was named Small Business of the Year by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce in 2005, and by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce in 2004. The company has also been named the Small Industry of the Year in Joplin in 2003.

Read more about Candy House’s award in Joplin Tri-State Business’ March 10 issue.