You probably noticed a favorite candy missing on your last Walmart run — the 108-year-old Cherry Mash quietly disappeared from shelves, and loyal customers are worried about what comes next. Walmart moved the product without wide announcement, leaving questions about whether this reflects a supply, policy, or demand change that could affect the candy’s future.
They’ll trace how the removal happened, why shoppers are upset, and what this means for a small-town brand with a long history. Keep following to learn which factors likely drove Walmart’s decision and what fans can do if they want Cherry Mash back.
Walmart’s Removal of Cherry Mash: What Happened?
Walmart removed Mini Cherry Mash bags from its stores, cutting a long retail tie and hitting the small Missouri maker’s sales. The move reduced one national channel for the 108-year-old candy and prompted visible concern from customers and the company.
Details Behind the Decision
Walmart told Chase Candy Company that Mini Cherry Mash sales did not meet its expectations, and the retailer opted to free shelf space for other seasonal and national brands. That decision reportedly took effect in mid-August when Walmart removed the product from stores nationwide.
Chase executives say the change cost roughly $200,000 in annual sales tied to Walmart distribution. Walmart’s broader category management choices—favoring higher-velocity or new-product SKUs—appear to have driven the delisting rather than a safety or quality issue.
Impact on Chase Candy Company
The lost Walmart placement hit Chase’s revenue and inventory planning. The company has made Cherry Mash in St. Joseph, Missouri, for more than a century, and executives point to loyal, regional customers as the core revenue base that will keep production running.
Chase adjusted by leaning into other retail partners, direct sales, and local distribution to replace the Walmart volume. They emphasized that production continues and that ingredient sourcing remains unchanged, while management works to rebuild retail placements and offset the shortfall.
Reaction from Loyal Cherry Mash Fans
Fans quickly noticed missing Mini Cherry Mash on store shelves and shared frustration on social media, citing long-standing attachment to the candy. Local news coverage and posts from the brand’s Facebook account amplified concern and rallied regional shoppers to seek alternative outlets.
Customers have responded by buying directly where available, visiting independent grocers, and calling for retailers to restock the product. The public response underlines strong brand loyalty but also highlights how dependent small manufacturers can be on major retailers for wide distribution.
Cherry Mash’s Legacy and Looking Ahead
Cherry Mash has been a Midwestern staple for more than a century, known for its peanut-chocolate shell and cherry-flavored center. The following subsections explain how the candy began, how the company is coping after losing Walmart placement, and how local customers and retailers may shape its future.
History of Cherry Mash and Chase Candy Company
Cherry Mash dates to 1918, created by Dr. George Washington Chase and later produced by Chase Candy Company in St. Joseph, Missouri. The recipe—chopped peanuts and chocolate surrounding a cherry center—has changed little, which helped the bar earn loyal customers across generations.
Chase grew from a family mercantile business into a regional confectioner. It secured long-term partnerships with suppliers for chocolate and peanuts sourced from U.S. growers and processing plants. That supply continuity and a consistent product profile reinforced brand recognition in grocery aisles and specialty shops for decades.
Leadership at Chase emphasized small-batch production and local manufacturing, keeping operations rooted in St. Joseph. Those choices preserved quality but also made the company more sensitive to major retail shifts that reduce volume or shelf space.
How the Brand Is Surviving Without Walmart
Walmart’s decision to stop carrying Mini Mash bite-size bags cut roughly $200,000 from Chase’s revenue in one reported year. The company responded by reallocating inventory to independent retailers, the Cherry Mash online shop, and regional grocery chains that continue to stock full-size and specialty formats.
Chase prioritized direct-to-consumer channels, including its own website and the Candy Shoppe, to capture orders that previously flowed through big-box distribution. It also leaned on longstanding relationships with regional distributors to place product in convenience stores and local supermarkets.
Operationally, Chase adjusted production runs and packaging mixes to match reduced large-retailer demand while keeping costs tight. Those moves help preserve cash flow and maintain the St. Joseph facility’s workforce through periods of uneven national distribution.
Community Support and the Brand’s Future
Local fans and nostalgia buyers provide a steady demand that Chase cites as a key survival factor. Community fundraising, local media coverage, and social posts have amplified awareness and driven traffic to independent sellers and the company’s online store.
Retail partners in the Midwest and specialty candy shops have expanded orders to meet renewed interest. Chase is exploring targeted promotions and seasonal offerings to capitalize on regional loyalty and holiday-driven sales spikes.
If community purchases and regional accounts remain stable, Chase can continue limited growth without Walmart. Continued focus on direct sales, regional distribution, and maintaining the original recipe gives the brand a realistic path forward while it seeks new retail opportunities.
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