The nearly century-old Minerva Candy Co. in downtown Webb City, Missouri, recently reopened after a years-long hiatus.
Charles and Malinda Spencer, formerly of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, reopened the store in April at 12 S. Main St. as Spencers’ Sweet Call at Minerva, reported the Ozarks Alive website.
Complete with blue and white tiles, warm woodwork and old-fashioned candy cases, the Webb City sweet spot originally opened in the early 1900s. Just off of Route 66, it was a famed stop for treats — including chocolate Easter eggs and candy canes at Christmas — before shuttering several years ago. […]
“I made candy as a hobby and was online looking for a used chocolate tempering equipment, and instead found a whole candy kitchen,” says Spencer.
That unexpected discovery led from a fleeting fancy to a thought that wouldn’t go away. Eventually, the Spencers decided to make the move — literally — and buy the business.
“Everything just gradually fell into place,” says Spencer.
The house-made candy, such as almond toffee, caramel pecan clusters, chocolate-covered marshmallows, dark-chocolate covered toffee, and modjeskas (marshmallows dipped in caramel), is made in 100-year-old copper kettles.
The Spencers plan to bring back Minerva’s famed candy canes during the Christmas holiday. Here’s a video from an earlier time when those Yuletide creations were made:
In addition to the candy, the Spencers offer store-made ice cream, slices of pie and jars of penny candy such as Smarties, wax bottles, Tootsie rolls, gummy bears, Bit-O-Honey and peanut butter bars.
The couple said they received help before reopening from a descendant of longtime Minerva operator Jim Malos and learned the family’s recipes.
Malos’ family bought the building in the 1920s and made candy for the next 70-plus years.
(Images from Spencers’ Sweet Call at Minerva in Webb City, Missouri, via Facebook)