Remember when your city had a Fannie May store?  Ours was on a corner right in the center of town.  I think my sister worked there for awhile.  They gave away samples.  Who could resist buying a pound of Mint Meltaways or Chocolate Truffles.  The perfect gift for every occasion.  Even after my children left home and spread out across the country, they loved receiving a box of their favorite chocolates in the mail.  The candy was a bit more expensive than drugstore chocolates, but well worth it.  Sadly, it’s one of life’s simple pleasures that’s coming to an end. Fannie May is fading away.

For decades, I sent loved ones Fannie May Candy for every birthday, Christmas and Easter.  Some had favorites, like Pixies.  Others didn’t care, as long as it was from Fannie May.  It was something a little special that I enjoyed doing.

Most of the retail stores closed several years ago., although there are still a few in Illinois and Indiana.  For awhile, you could  scout around for a Fannie May kiosk in some malls.  They didn’t ship, but  for $22, you could buy a pound that fit into a post office sleeve, and mail it to anywhere in the USA for $5.   When they closed those stores, you could still order directly by calling Fannie May.  I think they had free shipping.  And then that stopped. You couldn’t order online at all.  Now, Fannie May has  changed their policy once again and you can order online, but shipping and handling costs are $23.95!  No savings there.

Last week, I decided to order candy for  a  relative recovering from surgery. Much to my surprise, Fannie May Chocolates now sell for $49.95  a pound on Amazon.    That 100% inflation. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen,  and Federal Reserve Chairmen  Jerome Powell say our inflation rate is 5%.  Don’t believe them.

.No wonder  Fannie May is fading away.  There’s a limit to how much the average person will pay for a box of chocolates.