Small Business Spotlight: Josh Early Candies

This month's Small Business Spotlight shines on Josh Early Candies, a family-owned Lehigh Valley chocolatier with stores in Allentown and Bethlehem. Dating to 1904 and now in its fifth generation of family ownership, Josh Early has been handcrafting chocolates in small batches for more than a century, and it remains one of the most beloved local sweets in the region.

What They Offer

Josh Early Candies makes its chocolates in small batches using fresh ingredients and family recipes that have been passed down through generations. The lineup includes assorted chocolates, hand-dipped caramels, nonpareils, and a rotating selection of seasonal candies, along with ready-made gift boxes and an online store for shipping. Whether you are picking up a treat for yourself or a gift for someone else, there is something for every taste.

How Long They Have Been Around

The Josh Early name reaches back to 1904, when the company's founder and a partner sold wholesale candy under the name Richardson and Early. Over the decades the business grew into a family chocolatier now in its fifth generation, with retail stores serving the Lehigh Valley. That long, consistent history is a big part of why so many local families have grown up with Josh Early chocolates as a holiday and celebration staple.

What Makes Them Special

What sets Josh Early apart is the combination of longevity and craft. The chocolates are still made in small batches with family recipes and fresh ingredients, the kind of hands-on approach you do not find everywhere. The stores are welcoming, the staff are happy to help you choose, and the seasonal offerings change through the year, so there is always a reason to stop in. It is the sort of local business that makes the Lehigh Valley feel like home.

How to Visit or Contact Them

Josh Early Candies has two retail locations in the Lehigh Valley. The Allentown store is at 4640 West Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104, and can be reached at (610) 395-4321. The Bethlehem store is at 3620 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18020, and can be reached at (610) 865-0580. Both stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

For the full menu, seasonal specials, and online ordering, visit the official website at joshearlycandies.com. Hours and offerings can change with the season, so it is always a good idea to confirm before you visit.

Supporting Local, Season After Season

Small businesses like Josh Early Candies are the heart of the Lehigh Valley community. When you shop local, you support neighbors, local families, and the people who make this region special. And if you are ever thinking about buying or selling a home in the Lehigh Valley, Tim Tepes is a local business owner too, and he would be honored to help.