HARPSTER, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — Local favorite Coons Candy is opening a new chapter with a new location in Harpster, staying true to a 109-year-old family tradition of handmade confections.
Fifth-generation owners Rae and Brian recently spoke with host Randy Bigley on Community Spotlight to discuss the move and their upcoming grand opening celebrations.
The new shop is located at 16451 County Road 113 in Harpster, just a quarter-mile north of their previous red building along the U.S. Route 23 service road. According to the owners, the new layout allows them to focus strictly on what they do best: producing small-batch, handmade sweets.
Coons Candy is renowned worldwide for its Old English Toffee, made using an unchanged recipe spanning over a century. In addition to toffee available in milk, dark, and white chocolate, the shop specializes in homemade Buckeyes, clusters, creams, nostalgic penny candies, peanut brittle, and nearly 20 flavors of fudge—including seasonal favorites like pumpkin pie, banana bread, and coffee s’mores.
Though handmaking candy requires long hours—often starting as early as 5:00 a.m. during peak holiday shipping season—the owners say the craftsmanship makes all the difference compared to mass-produced factory sweets.
Coons Candy will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, followed by a public open house from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. featuring complimentary candy samples.
Orders can also be placed online for worldwide shipping at CoonsCandy.com.