A West Liberty couple whose longtime candy company is well-known around the state and country were celebrated Tuesday morning with a surprise dedication, as the village took the chance to recognize the pair that has given so much to the community.
Jay and Kathy King were asked to step outside their third generation business, Marie’s Candies, and were greeted by a large crowd of family, friends, employees and community members. Knowing something was in the making, Mrs. King shed a few tears as she and her husband were escorted down the alley behind the 311 Zanesfield Road store.
There, the Kings were honored with the unveiling of a new sign, marking the alley as “King’s Way” — recognizing the legacy the couple has created in their business and also speaking to their strong religious values in the way they model in their interactions with others, West Liberty Mayor Jill McKelvey said.
McKelvey explained that when she and her husband travel across the country or Ohio, her husband tells people they meet, “we are from West Liberty, you know the home of Marie’s Candies,” and people know exactly where they are from.
“You have put this small village on the map with people because of your outstanding chocolates and how you treat your customers,” she told the couple.
“It’s beyond description — I’m speechless,” Mr. King said following the ceremony, while surrounded by extended family and friends, including their daughter, Rebecca Craig, and son, Shannon King, who also have joined the family business.
“It’s just amazing. We are so grateful to our community,” Mrs. King agreed.
During the sign unveiling, the mayor said the couple has become role models for other business owners and examples of great public servants. She emphasized that they exemplify a quote from President Woodrow Wilson, “To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.”
“Jay and Kathy showed a commitment to building a business built on strong values of taking care of the little things to make your business successful. This shows today in the values they have instilled in Shannon and Rebecca, and their employees.”
Mr. King’s parents, Marie and Winifred King, established Marie’s Candies in 1956, following a candy-making gift-giving tradition started by Marie to thank kind friends and neighbors who helped them after Winifred was struck by polio.
“What began as a loving gesture in a country kitchen eventually grew into a successful venture that began providing a living for this industrious couple,” according to the history page of Marie’s Candies website, www.mariescandies.com.
Jay and his two brothers worked in the candy business during their teenage years, and then he said following the death of his father in 1973, he returned to the area from New York to assist his mother.
“I wanted to help my mother, it was hard for her to continue after my father’s death,” Mr. King said Tuesday. “I learned a lot from her during those years and then in 1977, we bought the business.”
Marie’s Candies’ current location, the Depot, was originally built in 1926 by the train tracks in the southwest corner of the village and served as a bustling transportation hub in the area, serving passengers into the 1940s and receiving and delivering freight until 1960, according to www.mariescandies.com.
In 1992, Mr. and Mrs. King became the proud owners of the historic depot building and arrangements were made to pull the building across town about 3 miles. The move occurred in July of 1993.
Today, Mr. King said he is happy to watch the third generation continuing the traditions of high-quality ingredients and special customer attention of Marie’s Candies.
“It is most exciting to watch our children take over the business,” he said. “When your children are younger, you don’t know if its something that will spark their interest. We’re happy to know that the business will continue thriving.”
McKelvey related that she got to know Mr. King when they each served on the West Liberty Village Council during the 2010s.
“During that time, Jay taught me many life lessons regarding being a public servant and the commitment to doing the right thing, even when the constituents didn’t understand the issues and disagreed with you.
“He also taught me that sometimes decisions aren’t easy and we must always see the big picture and keep a clear vision of the future. I have never forgotten those life lessons and when I give my word to someone, I remember the values of sincerity and integrity.”
The West Liberty Beautification Awards that are presented each year also have been inspired by Mr. King’s practices of being good stewards of properties in the village, whether that is a businesses or a home, the mayor said.
Marie’s Candies also is included in the Logan County Chamber’s video promoting tourism in the county.
“I smile every time I see the clip from Marie’s Candies with Mrs. King passing out samples,” McKelvey said. “Kathy’s smiling face is a memory that visitors to our community take home with them (besides the delicious chocolates). Marie’s Candies is West Liberty….
“Thank you both for all you have done and continue to do in our community. We are thankful for you and hope this small token shows our appreciation and thanks from the village we call home.”