Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Dutch Hill Chocolates owner Jerry Moore fills an Easter bunny mold with milk chocolate at the 1624 First Ave., Altoona, shop.

The Easter season is important for area candy makers and restaurants, but with the holiday falling early this year on March 31, some businesses are worried sales could take a hit.

Joe DeStadio, president of Tyrone-based Gardners Candies, said in years past, an early Easter typically has had a negative effect on sales because of the shorter selling period after Valentine’s Day. This year, however, has not been as affected so far.

“Our retail numbers are on pace to equal or exceed last year’s Easter sales,” DeStadio said. “The Easter season will comprise about 35% of our annual sales. It is our busiest season.”

Bedford Candies relies on Easter for roughly 20% of its annual revenue, according to owner Adam Wiley. While this season has been slightly slower than usual, he’s expecting sales to pick up the last week of March as people start to get more into “spring mode.”

“We are projecting that sales, rather than normally being spread out over time, will instead be more condensed. We are still remaining optimistic that sales will be strong this season,” Wiley said.

Marcia Cumming, owner of MarCia’s Chocolates, said the early date impacts the candy production schedule. She said they started making “solid items” in January after the Christmas season wound down to try to get a headstart on the Easter demand. Specialty items like filled eggs were made in early March.

Easter makes up 25% to 30% of MarCia’s annual sales.

Cumming said the chocolate industry as a whole just experienced a 30% increase in the cost of chocolate.

“Time will tell how this affects overall sales versus the early date. Luckily, we were able to purchase our chocolate supplies before the significant price increase which means we have not had to increase our prices for this Easter,” she said.

At Dutch Hill Chocolates, all its products are made without preservatives, so nothing can be made months in advance, according to owner Jerry Moore. An early Easter puts a bigger strain on the business to have its candy ready in time for the season with a shorter prep window.

“National sales tend to show if Easter is early, then sales are higher but in our years of experience, we tend to notice a fairly equal balance no matter when Easter falls,” Moore said.

As one of the largest candy distributors in the United States, Blair Candy Co. in Altoona counts on solid easter sales and the early date can impact its sales.

“The same customers are still buying all their goodies, but the impulse buys are shortened. Not a huge difference, but definitely changes things up a little,” said Mike Dandrea, director of sales. “Easter is a huge candy holiday for us. We’re on pace to have close to $500,000 in Easter candy sales for Easter 2024.”

A national survey says consumer spending is expected to reach a total of $22.4 billion this Easter, including $3.1 billion on candy. However, the figure is down after last year’s record-setting $24 billion when the holiday fell nine days later in the year, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

“Each year, Americans look forward to the celebration of Easter and the renewal of time and traditions with loved ones,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Retailers understand the importance of this holiday and are ready to help their customers find the items they want and need at affordable prices.”

Flowers are also popular at Easter, with about $1.6 billion expected to be spent on flowers.

Kerr’s in Hollidaysburg relies on orders from churches and an early Easter actually benefits flower sales.

“We provide a lot of Easter lilies to local churches and on the retail side our hottest sellers are tulips and hyacinths,” said Chelsea Kerr Veneskey, operations manager.

“When Easter comes early that gives us more time to focus on our annuals and perennials for spring,” said Dave Yingling, greenhouse manager.

The holiday wouldn’t be complete without a traditional Easter dinner. The survey predicts consumers will spend $7.3 billion on food.

The Altoona Grand Hotel, which is expected to attract about 200 diners,will hold its annual Easter buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The menu includes glazed ham and stuffed chicken breast and numerous sides and desserts.

“The stuffed chicken breast is really good and the maple roasted brussel sprouts with bacon is a huge hit,” said Shaina McNally, sales director. Reservations are required, she added.

Both the U.S. Hotel and Tavern in Hollidaysburg and Prime Sirloin Buffet in Duncansville will offer traditional Easter buffets, owner Don Delozier said.

The U.S. Hotel menu includes items such as chef-carved black oak ham, baked haddock, herb roasted chicken breast and more while Prime Sirloin offers roast turkey, carved ham, sirloin steaks, baked and fried chicken and more.

“We expect over 200 guests at U.S. Hotel and more than 1,000 at Prime Sirloin,” Delozier said. Reservations are required for the U.S. Hotel.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.