MarCia’s Chocolates of Altoona is expecting sales to be higher than last year, according to owner Marcia Cumming.

“The price of chocolate has remained about the same as this time last year. We don’t feel it will impact our overall sales, especially since we have been able to maintain our prices. We are very happy that we have not had to increase the price of our chocolates,” Cumming said. “Easter is one of the three busiest times of the year here in the chocolate shop.”

Bedford Candies is expecting significant growth this Easter season.

“Following a very strong start to the year, we look to continue that upward trend. A major driver for us has been a record high in our Easter Fundraising schedule,” owner Adam Wiley said. “The price of chocolate has finally leveled off, and we’ve even seen a slight reduction from the all-time highs experienced over the past few years.”

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Dutch Hill Chocolates co-owner Jerry Moore coats a coconut egg with chocolate at the shop at 1624 First Ave. in Altoona.

Easter is the number one holiday for candy sales at Tyrone-based Gardners Candies, said Chief Operating Officer Jim Westover.

“Based on early projections, we are trending for a big Easter as consumers have taken advantage of our online promo codes. Gardners is up double digits in sales thus far. We will continue to offer promo codes and in store offers up until Easter Sunday,” Westover said. “Our consumers have appreciated our willingness to burden the costs as we navigate cocoa’s price fluctuations.”

Meanwhile, Dutch Hill Chocolates of Altoona expects sales to be about the same as last year, said owner Hannah Reed.

“The sales will just be condensed to a shorter period of time since Easter falls earlier this year. Prices have remained fairly consistent from last year to this year. We don’t see that impacting sales one way or the other,” Reed said. “All three candy holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter) play a large part in our annual business roughly each ranging 20 to 30 percent of our sales.”

Candy is the top choice of consumers according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Dutch Hill Chocolates co-owner Jerry Moore coats a coconut egg with chocolate at the shop at 1624 First Ave. in Altoona.

Consumer spending on Easter is expected to reach a record total of $24.9 billion this year, according to the survey. The amount surpasses the previous record of $24 billion set in 2023. On a per-person basis, shoppers are budgeting a record high of $195.59, up from the previous record of $192.01 in 2023.

“While economic uncertainty remains on the minds of many, consumers are still focused on holiday celebrations like Easter,” NRF Chief Economist and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews said. “Holidays provide an important opportunity for families to reconnect and create lasting memories, even as economic conditions fluctuate.”

According to the survey, 92% of consumers are expected to purchase sweets and spend $3.5 billion.

Easter has always been one of the busiest seasons for Blair Candy Co. as well. Sales often start near the beginning of January, according to owner Mike Dandrea.

“Easter and Christmas are neck and neck for the largest candy seasons. Halloween is a lot of impulse and final week purchasing for trick or treat night, but Easter has always shown trends with a lot more planning and gift purchasing,” Dandrea said. “Sales really pick up after Valentine’s Day and the last few weeks leading up project to be our busiest weeks.”

Flowers are also popular at Easter, with consumers expected to spend $2.2 billion.

“Easter is in the top three holidays of the year for sales for us. Our top sellers are lilies, hydrangeas and potted tulips, hyacinths and daffodils,” said Chelsea Kerr Veneskey, operations manager at Kerr’s in Hollidaysburg.

“We will be busy all week prepping orders for all the local churches we provide Easter flowers for,” said Dave Yingling, greenhouse manager.

“Easter isn’t the busiest holiday for us, but definitely one that we look forward to,” said owner Andrea Hammel of Peterman’s Flower Shop, Juniata. “Easter lilies and whimsical centerpieces are very popular. We also sell many bulb gardens such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.”

Dining options

The holiday would not be complete without the traditional Easter meal. The survey said consumers will spend $7.5 billion on food.

The Altoona Grand Hotel is expected to host about 300 guests for its traditional Easter buffet. The hotel will also hold an Easter egg hunt in the Tropical Courtyard during the buffet, said Jayden Hall of the hotel’s sales department.

The hotel will have seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The cost for the buffet is $37 per person, $17 for ages 12 and under, and kids 5 and under free.

The menu includes fresh mixed salad, pickled eggs and beets, homemade wedding soup, dinner rolls, slow roasted turkey, hardwood smoked ham, citrus baked haddock, traditional stuffing, whipped mashed potatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese, wild rice pilaf, roasted rainbow carrots, green bean almondine, sweet buttered corn.

The U.S. Hotel and Tavern in Hollidaysburg will offer a traditional Easter buffet with 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. seatings. The cost is $34.95 for adults, $17.95 for kids and ages four and under free.

Reservations are required.

The menu includes chef-carved black oak ham, oven roasted turkey breast, house made stuffing and gravy, green bean casserole, pickled eggs and beets, buttered corn, mashed potatoes, garden salad with assorted dressings, fresh baked rolls and assorted desserts.

Park Hills Country Club will host an Easter lunch with seatings at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Cost is $20 and $14 for kids under 12. Reservations are required

The plated dinner menu includes salad and roll, honey-glazed ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and strawberries and cream shortcake.

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