Jon H.PRINCE - President

"We live in tenuous times . . . and people want to be nostalgic . . . at a price that doesn't cost an arm and a leg," said [Jon H.] Prince, whose company, founded in 1927, is one of the oldest candy distributors in the country.

"Candy serves as a metaphor; you are buying a piece of the past."- Florida Today, October 19, 2005

As the Founder of CandyFavorites.com and the third - and a half-generation -  at McKeesport Candy Co., I have spent over three decades in the candy industry, watched my hair turn a shade of grey, and witnessed many candy trends come and go. Yet it seemed like yesterday when I was a teenager making boxes, filling shelves, or calling on customers the "old-fashioned" way.

I have worn quite a few hats over the years and still can't believe that in 2024 we eased gracefully into our 97th year. Few, if any, candy wholesalers remain who can make such a claim.

Time flies when you are having fun, and following in the footsteps of my grandfather and father is a daunting task but one of which I am very proud.

I think they would be proud of me, too, if only because I have scaled many peaks  - and climbed out of a few too many valleys -  yet the company is still as relevant today as we were when our doors opened in 1927.

 In many ways, we might be more relevant now as our infrastructure allows us to change and adapt to an ever-changing market.

Trends aside, the passion for retro candy remains strong because it provides an affordable link to childhood when times were more carefree.

Now, as our country faces rebuilding our infrastructure, the uncertainty it brings every day brings a new challenge!

Our industry constantly changes, yet it remains much the same because we're still in the business of selling a product that delights people. As I have often said," the future of the candy industry is rooted in the past."

Although a Greek philosopher once said, "the only constant in life is change," I can think of no better saying that better exemplifies the candy industry or our model for nine decades of survival. 

Building the Internet's largest candy store is a fun challenge—during the process, I learned much about the history of a product that brings joy to many and has sustained my family. 

Like the cobbler's children who go without shoes, I rarely find myself eating candy, and my two children often complain that we are the only family without a candy drawer. However, I often indulge in personal favorites such as Boston Baked Beans, Licorice Bridge Mix, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, or Junior Mints.

Throughout my career, I have wondered which direction my company would go, all the more during the pandemic of 2020, which was among the most challenging times.

Candy and snacks may have become a commodity. Still, we remain true to our mission of providing a quality product at a reasonable cost while offering the best customer service.

No one said this would be easy, nor that my hair would not turn to a lighter shade of grey, especially after our last site redesign in 2024, but I am always up for a good challenge and find it hard to believe that I have been working here for over thirty years! 

Chocolate Fever - Jon Prince - Daily News 1989

Jon Prince interviewed at the All Candy Expo
on Food Network's Unwrapped