Barr Farms
Rhodelia, KY
Contact: Adam Barr
859-608-6458
Booth 27
Kandies of Kentucky
Contact: Barbara and Barry Sumner
502-594-3079 / 502-641-0730
kandiesofkentucky@hotmail.com
Booth Alternate
Kandies of Kentucky is a husband and wife team that have been in the candy business since Feb 2012.
Barry and Barbara Sumner both retired and have been for over 15 years. Barry retired from Sears Service and Barbara from BellSouth\AT&T. Barbara says, “We both hit the ground running. Neither of us wanting to just sit in a rocking chair.”
Once they came up with the name…Kandies of Kentucky…the pair ventured out with only two flavors of chocolates, traditional bourbon ball and a mint julep bourbon ball. Now, they have 20 flavors, which include 6 different bourbon balls, 5 different wines, peanut butter and liqueurs, such as Amaretto, Kahlua, Irish Cream, Coconut Rum, Lemoncello, Raspberry Liqueur, Peppermint Mocha Kahlua, and Triple Sec.
Kandies of Kentucky chocolates have been shipped all over the United States, Europe, Canada and even Dubai.
Their first year in business, they met up with one of Kentucky’s Derby Fillies who ordered 5000 traditional and mint julep bourbon balls for the National Federation of Republican Women that met at the Galt House Ballroom. This event only comes to Louisville every forty years, and Kandies got to take part their first year out of the gate.
As far as the why, the pair guess they wanted to do something fun in retirement. Barry and Barbara had no idea they were the only ones out there doing bourbon, rum, wine and liqueur chocolates. Barbara adds, “We also didn’t realize that we would be that popular. It really is the best job either of us has ever had. We both work well together. That’s a good thing.”
The couple has been together a long time, 39 years this September 21. Right now, the time is right for them to keep on. Both Barry and Barbara would rather work up to their last days handing someone a candy sample, and Barbara adds, “Then die with a smile on our faces just seeing how much that person enjoyed that piece of candy.”
They appreciate the St Matthew’s Farmers Market community and all their customers.
