Sweet Success: Necco Wafers Hitting Stores After 2-Year Break

An iconic candy brand is poised to make a big comeback this summer after taking a two-year break. Spangler Candy Company announced Thursday Necco Wafers will hit shelves for the first time since its parent company Necco went belly-up in 2018.

The nearly 200-year-old candy faced an uncertain future after New England Confectionary Co. abruptly shut down its Revere facilities. Recognizable brands like Necco Wafers and Sweethearts got off relatively easy, seeing a resurgence under new owner Spangler Candy Co.

"Just when comfort food is experiencing a resurgence, Necco Wafers is back with that very kind of familiar, comfortable feeling we all seem to be craving," said Kirk Vashaw, CEO of Spangler Candy Company, said in a statement. "We are delighted to bring Necco Wafers back into production and to share in their sweet return with fans old and new."

Before Necco folded, it claimed to be the oldest continuously operating candy company in America. That means its candies have seen some stuff – Spangler says Necco Wafers were carried by soldiers during the Civil War, sustained explorers on expeditions to the North and South Poles in the early 1900s and were commissioned to boost morale during World War II.

The original recipe has remained essentially unchanged since 1847, and Spangler's comeback collection is taking the same "if it ain't broke" approach. The eight flavors will include lemon (yellow), lime (green), orange (orange), clove (light purple), cinnamon (white), wintergreen (pink), licorice (dark gray) and chocolate (brown).

Seven of the eight flavors were designed to identically match the originals, while the chocolate wafers will have a richer cocoa flavor.

Necco Wafers will be sold at major drugstores starting in June, followed by additional retailers in July. A complete list of retailers is available on the Spangler Candy Necco Wafers website: https://www.spanglercandy.com/our-brands/necco-wafers.