In a uniquely sweet twist, a Houston couple has combined their candy-making operation with charitable assistance to local children.
David and Melissa Dart started Ozark Granny’s Candies in 2021 and create their products in a former shop building on their property north of town that they converted into a multi-room candy manufacturing and packaging facility.
Melissa (an Iowa native) has a passion for decorating and got going with “hot chocolate bombs” sold online at Etsy.
“They were very popular,” David said.
David (a California native) has a background in science and engineering and has transferred his appreciation of that field toward making chocolate.
“I instantly became fascinated with the science of making chocolates, and how to do it right,” he said. “It’s all chemistry; that really clicked with me.”
Ozark Granny’s Candies products are available in both milk and dark chocolate, and can be found in Houston at The Corner, The Gas Hole and S&S Package Liquor. Staples include peanut butter balls, giant chocolate covered marshmallows and chocolate-covered Oreos.
“We also use Granny’s as an avenue for us to experiment,” David said, “because people sometimes say they want us to make various things. So there will be more choices.”
David also has his own caramel recipe, and chocolate covered caramel pecan patties have been a favorite in the past and will soon be available again. He said that in the near future, more locations in Houston are expected to carry Granny’s products.
The public’s response to Granny’s Candies has been almost entirely positive, David said.
“People who take the time to try it say it’s the best they’ve had,” he said. “They say it’s better than anything else they can get at a store right now. It has been very well received here.”
The Darts also make Melly’s Famous Cherry Cordials under the Melly’s Munchies LLC brand. For Granny’s, they like to use the slogan, “Budget friendly, nostalgic and fun.”
Candy meets contribution
The Granny’s charitable connection has to do with Bright Futures, an organization designed to help children in the Houston School District with basic needs, such as clothing, shoes and hygiene products, and has even provided blankets to kids in homes with no heat. The Darts are going to donate a portion of funds to Bright Futures from all Granny’s products sold.
“We really wanted to give back to the community,” David said. “The only thing it’s there for is to help the kids – you couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Bright Futures President Glenda Jones has been part of the organization’s board since its inception in 2017.
“I have served with a lot of great people,” Jones said. “We don’t seek to be a fundraising organization. We want to team with the community to supply the needs.”
David contacted Bright Futures and described what he and Melly had in mind. Jones and a cohort then toured the Darts’ facilities in Houston.
“I consider it an honor,” Jones said, “as he has been making the decision to monetarily fund Bright Futures through candy sales in this area. He is very personable, and it seems like a win-win for the children of our community. I’m excited, first of all, to know that we have great community support, and second of all, to know that we have a local handmade candy factory in our town.”
David said he and Melly intend to have Melly’s Cordials go national, but Granny’s will remain primarily local.
“It may expand out to some extent, but it will always be Houston’s candy,” he said.
Melly’s Munchies Famous Cherry Cordials can be found and ordered on Etsy, and Granny’s Ozark Candies has a website. For more information, email info@ozarkgrannys.com or melly@mellysmunchies.com.
Information about Bright Futures can be found on Facebook.
