Tag: Clay Realty Group

A longtime Lebanon candy company is up for sale. 

Charles Wertz, an owner of Wertz Candies, 718 Cumberland St., said he and his brothers, Richard and William, decided to sell the company because they are all at or nearing retirement age and they have no children to carry on the business. 

“It’s time to get out,” Wertz said. “Our hope is to see that the company continues so we are selling the property and business as a group.”  

The brothers are asking $300,000, recipes included, Wertz said. Clay Realty Group, 203 Walnut St., Lebanon, is the listing agent. 

Wertz said the entire property, 714-718 Cumberland St., which includes 21 parking spaces, 18 rented which are rented for $35 each per month, the candy store retail area, packing, kitchen and garage for shipping, and Gus Deraco’s coffee shop, currently rented for $759.72 month, is included in the sale. 

The company was started 92 years ago when William Howard Wertz returned to his family home in Muhlenberg Township and opened a Karmelkorn Shop franchise in downtown Lebanon, according to the company website. 

The franchise continued with son, William Jr., and son-in-law L. Saylor Zimmerman Jr., until the elder Wertz passed away in 1960. 

According to the website, William Wertz Jr. bought the business from Zimmerman and, with his wife Josephine, changed the name to Wertz Candies Inc. in 1971. 

Upon his retirement, Wertz’s children bought the business and have continued to operate in the same location.  

The sale was publicized quietly in December. “It has gained momentum over the past two and a half weeks or so,” Wertz said. 

“We explored selling to our employees but that didn’t pan out,” he said. “We have one employee who will stay on to help with the candy making,” he said.  

“We are thankful for the 92 years we’ve been in business,” Wertz said, adding the store will stay open while the family finds a buyer.