Angela Howles and Wes Black (Right) are the new owners of The Candy Crate, located at 300 West Main in downtown Red River. It is the home of the world-renowned Candy Mountain Fudge. The pair took over operation from company founder Dirk Arnold on August 13.
They intend to maintain the product lines of Candy Mountain Fudge, historic and nostalgic candies and confections, New Mexico food and souvenir products and gift items like puzzles, cups, magnets, etc.
They have moved the New Mexico products to their main display sales area and intend to highlight food products and the work of local and regional artists and craftspersons.
“We plan to expand New Mexico products. While it had a room to itself before, we think it’s now actually taking center stage, next to fudge. You might see the New Mexico products expand, taking over more space than it does now, but fudge is going to always be our foundation!
“Linda Saint is in her 31st year of making fudge and she hopes to stay with us as long as she can before she decides to retire.” Tim Gibbons will continue in the production of the trademark fudge.
“One of the things we knew we wanted was something that had a little diversity with it, with different revenue streams. This has twenty apartments, the candy store, fudge manufacturing, regular retail gifts and New Mexico specialty products. It just has a ton of things that were exciting to us!”