A recently closed Central Illinois confectionary institution is coming back under new ownership.
The family-owned Maurie’s Candy Store in Pekin was purchased by ADDWC, an non-profit organization that employs adults with developmental disabilities in Woodford County.
ADDWC President and CEO Keith McArdle said they were unable to stay in the original Pekin building, so they plan to move to downtown Eureka by December.
“I lived in Pekin for about 15 years. My wife grew up in Pekin. So I understood the value of that brand, and thought it was a good fit for our folks to work," he said.
McArdle said buying the candy store will help cushion the economic blow ADDWC has suffered as its primary revenue source, recycling, suffered a major global downturn. He said a year-and-a-half ago, the non-profit could get $185 a ton for recycled cardboard. That price has plummeted to about $30 a ton recently.
He said the new candy store will focus on the basic staples.
“We’re looking to just go back to the traditional roots of just the fudge, the caramel corn, the cheese corn and the taffy apples," McArdle said.
The store is set to employ 5 to 10 adults with developmental disabilities.
For Pekinites disappointed the candy store is leaving town, he said he's exploring some potential options to maintain a presence there, as well.
Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU. 9(MDIwMjIxMDA0MDE0Mzk4NDIzNjA0OGQ5Yg001))