Richardson's Candy Factory to open in Joplin

Richardson’s Candy House, which operates stores in Joplin, Carthage and at 3857 S. Campbell in Springfield, will open an 8,400-square-foot chocolate factory, distribution center and retail outlet at 510 S. Kentucky in Joplin.

A new façade, designed by Ness Architects of Joplin, will tie in with the historic look of downtown Joplin, according to a Richardson’s news release. Willey Construction, a Joplin company, is the general contractor for the project.

The new factory will have a 40-foot “chocolate enrober,” said owner Terry Hicklin. “It rolls … (and) coats items in chocolate. It goes down a long belt, kind of like the ‘I Love Lucy’ thing where she and Ethel are taking the candy off the end of the line.”

Richardson’s Chocolate Factory also will make high-volume items, such as English toffee and turtles, which can be sold in its other stores, although Hicklin said each store makes most its own items.

“In Springfield, they have their own kettles and they have two marble tables, and they make all their own fudges and brittles and popcorn, and then they have a full-time chocolate dipper who does all of the nut clusters and everything,” Hicklin said.

The Joplin factory also will make prepackaged items, molded chocolates and gift boxes.

“Our corporate business and gift-box business is at least a good half of the business,” said Hicklin, who declined to disclose the company’s revenues. Much of the corporate and gift-box business comes from the Internet – the company’s Web site is at www. candyhouse.net – but Hicklin said there are a lot of repeat customers who call regularly.

“Just from being in business for 35 years, we ship up to 400 orders a day of non-Internet sales,” he said.

The company does have about 1,500 square feet of production space at its existing Joplin store, but the new factory will provide about 7,000 square feet for making candy. There will also be a factory store with candy counters. There will be more than 30 employees in production, and probably about six retail support people during the holidays.

There will be free tours by appointment for groups of 10 or more, and Hicklin said a glass wall will allow visitors to watch the candy-making process.

Hicklin said there won’t be a problem with competition between the factory and the existing Joplin store, which is located two miles south of Interstate 44 and five miles from downtown Joplin.

“Where I think we’re going to see the additional business, being downtown (with the factory) is corporate and businesspeople who are needing a last-minute gift to go on a sales call or something.” he said.

In addition to the new factory, Hicklin said other growth opportunities are being pondered.

“I think our next logical move would be a second location in Springfield … we just need to get our production up on our boxes and stuff so we can help support the sales, but Springfield’s just been great for us, he said.

Hicklin said that northwest Arkansas area might be a good area for the company to consider.

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