Ruth Hunt Candy Company Celebrates 104 Years with Valentine's Day Rush

Kentucky's iconic confectioner gears up for its busiest sales days of the year.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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As Valentine's Day approaches, Mount Sterling's 104-year-old Ruth Hunt Candy Company is experiencing its busiest season, with chocolate-dipped strawberries and grapes accounting for 50% of the business's annual sales. Despite challenges like skyrocketing chocolate prices, the company has maintained its commitment to quality and customer loyalty.

Why it matters

Ruth Hunt Candy Company's success during its peak season highlights the enduring appeal of local, family-owned businesses that prioritize tradition and community over short-term profits. The company's ability to weather industry challenges while preserving its values serves as an inspiration for small businesses seeking to thrive in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

The details

Ruth Hunt Candy Company is gearing up for its two most important sales days of the year, February 13th and 14th, which account for 50% of the business's annual sales. The company has ordered 25,000 pounds of strawberries from California and 1,000 pounds of grapes from Brazil to be dipped in its signature chocolate, a special and limited offering available for just three days each year. Despite facing a significant challenge in the form of skyrocketing chocolate prices, the company has chosen to absorb much of the cost increase rather than pass it on to customers, demonstrating its commitment to its loyal customer base.

  • Ruth Hunt Candy Company was founded in 1922.
  • The company's chocolate-dipped strawberries and grapes are only available for three days each year around Valentine's Day.
  • Last year saw one of the single largest increases in chocolate prices in almost 40 years, forcing many candy makers to raise their prices.
  • Co-owner Tobby Moore's birthday is on February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day.

The players

Ruth Hunt Candy Company

A 104-year-old candy store in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, known for its chocolate-dipped strawberries and grapes.

Tobby Moore

The co-owner of Ruth Hunt Candy Company, who has worked in the business for nearly 40 years and has traveled to a cocoa farm in Ghana to understand the entire chocolate-making process.

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What they’re saying

“We offer the chocolate strawberries and grapes just once a year. I think it's a special treat that people want to give to their significant other.”

— Tobby Moore, Co-owner (WKYT)

“Last year was one of the single largest increases in chocolate that we've experienced in almost 40 years in the business.”

— Tobby Moore, Co-owner (WKYT)

“It's not majority chocolate. Let's just say it's 30 percent of the piece of candy, so you're not doubling the whole cost of that bourbon ball.”

— Tobby Moore, Co-owner (WKYT)

“We went through the process of how they harvested it and how the small farmers from all over the region had gone and bring it to a small processing plant.”

— Tobby Moore, Co-owner (WKYT)

What’s next

As the rush continues through Valentine's Day, Ruth Hunt Candy Company will continue to serve its loyal customers with its signature chocolate-dipped treats and other confections.

The takeaway

Ruth Hunt Candy Company's ability to weather industry challenges while maintaining its commitment to quality and customer loyalty serves as a model for small businesses seeking to thrive in a rapidly changing retail landscape. The company's dedication to its craft and community values has kept it a beloved institution in Mount Sterling for over a century.