Necco Churns Out the Hearts

A lot of Cambridge bio-tech firms are searching every molecule and enzyme for the elusive pill that will put an end to deadly viruses.

But only one Cambridge company has found the pill that will put an end to broken hearts.

Ever since 1847, when Oliver Chase began making candy shells with little messages inside, the New England Confectionery Company--Necco to most of us--has been pumping out sweet little hearts for Valentine's Day lovers.

And more than just tasty pastel treats, Necco's candy hearts come with any array of witty quips that add spice to February trysts.

Although the company doesn't have many high-tech labs or triple-digit salaries, most of Necco's Kendall Square neighbors would die for its sales records.

Between the first week of January--when the Mass. Ave. Cupid factory begins selling its sweet nothings--and the big V-day on Feb. 14, Necco estimates that it sells eight billion candy hearts.

Walter Marshall is Necco's vice-president of logistics and planning, but is better known as the guy who comes up with the messages.

Marshall said that the company tries to mix its "timeless favorites"--those slogans that date back to 1901--with more spunky signs of the times.

This year, in addition to the traditional "Be mine," "Kiss me" and "Be true," Marshall and his fellow sugar-daddies have introduced a new line of phrases that should help move their company into the 21st century.

To keep up with the information age, this year's candies will include messages like "Fax me," "Email me" and "Page me."

But the company has maintained its traditionally modest prices. A small bag of candy hearts sold for 88 cents in the Square yesterday, and a quirky, plastic candy cane of hearts could be snagged for ten cents more.

While there are only six flavors of candy hearts, Necco customers can find any combination of the 125 different sayings in a box.

Although the historic factory at 254 Mass. Ave. can churn out a total of 100,000 pounds of hearts per day--that's 48 million hearts--the factory needs to run year round to produce the 8 billion hearts sold in the six weeks before Valentine's Day.

"In a couple of weeks we'll start gearing up for next Valentine's Day," Marshall said.

There is little concern that the candy will go bad during the long year.

A company employee recently found a package of 1952 Necco wafers--another of the company's more popular products--lying around the office.

The candy was still edible.

"This is an indestructible product," Marshall said.

Despite his hard hearts, this candy guru also seems to be very successful in the business of love.

Marshall has been happily married for the past 40 years.

Speaking from experience, Marshall said that Necco hearts are an extremely practical way of expressing love.

"This is romance on a budget," Marshall said

While there are only six flavors of candy hearts, Necco customers can find any combination of the 125 different sayings in a box.

Although the historic factory at 254 Mass. Ave. can churn out a total of 100,000 pounds of hearts per day--that's 48 million hearts--the factory needs to run year round to produce the 8 billion hearts sold in the six weeks before Valentine's Day.

"In a couple of weeks we'll start gearing up for next Valentine's Day," Marshall said.

There is little concern that the candy will go bad during the long year.

A company employee recently found a package of 1952 Necco wafers--another of the company's more popular products--lying around the office.

The candy was still edible.

"This is an indestructible product," Marshall said.

Despite his hard hearts, this candy guru also seems to be very successful in the business of love.

Marshall has been happily married for the past 40 years.

Speaking from experience, Marshall said that Necco hearts are an extremely practical way of expressing love.

"This is romance on a budget," Marshall said