For the past month, Betsy Ann Chocolates has been creating products to be used as props from Hershey chocolate.
The well-known West View-based candy company was invited to use Hershey products to fashion chocolate bars that represent what they would have looked like in the late 1800s and early 1900s for the upcoming movie “Hershey,” the story of Milton and Catherine “Kitty” Hershey.
“I was in the shop and a man came in, said he was working on a movie about Hershey and asked if we would be interested in working with him,” said Karen Paras, who co-owns Betsy Ann American Chocolates with her husband, Jim. “I didn’t think it was for real.”
According to the Hershey website, Hershey and Dandelion Media are collaborating on the film, which will be released in 2026.
Hershey, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, is headquartered 3½ hours from Pittsburgh in Hershey, Pa. The chocolate is sent to Betsy Ann Chocolates, said Anna Lingeris, U.S. communications and brand PR for The Hershey Co.
Locally, the filmmaker’s prop master brings molds to the candy store that need to be made for an upcoming scene.
The chocolate bars look different from what today’s products look like; packaging was also different back then.
“Every chocolate bar you see with Hershey’s name on it is made from Hershey chocolate,” Lingeris said. “Betsy Ann Chocolates is making some other products, such as caramels.”
Betsy Ann Chocolates uses a copper kettle for the caramel and makes it in small batches, just like Hershey did in the early days.
Milton Hershey began as a caramel maker and started the Lancaster Caramel Co. in 1886 after he returned to Lancaster, following the failure of his New York City candy business. The caramel business grew and The Hershey Chocolate Co. was formally organized as a subsidiary of Lancaster Caramel. He eventually sold the caramel business in 1900 to the American Caramel Co. for $1 million.
Hershey retained the rights to the Hershey Chocolate Co.
The most recent project at Betsy Ann Chocolates is turning the Hershey chocolate into the famous Hershey Kiss from years ago.
Partnering with local companies for film shoots is not new, said Dawn Keezer, executive director of the Pittsburgh Film Office. She said she always gives lists of local businesses to the film companies as part of the local tax credit benefits.
“We want them to use local businesses,” Keezer said. “I think this is great for Betsy Ann and look for more local connections because they are filming in many areas.”
Filming began this month, and locales used thus far include Harmony, Butler County and Pittsburgh’s South Side. Next week, filming will take place in Ligonier. Lingeris said they are shooting a majority of the film in Western Pennsylvania. Some footage will be shot in Hershey, she said.
“Besty Ann Chocolates has been an amazing partner,” Lingeris said.
