Merb's Candies: A Century of Sweetness and Staying Power

2025 Legacy Business Award Narrative - Merb's Candies

In the heart of Dutchtown, where generations of St. Louisans have passed through on their way to school, work, or holidays with family, one scent has always signaled celebration: the warm, rich aroma of Merb’s Bionic Apples. For more than a century, Merb’s Candies has been a beloved anchor of South St. Louis, weaving together nostalgia, craftsmanship, and local pride into every caramel-dipped treat and hand-packed chocolate box.

‍From Emma Merb to Three Generations of Bearden Women

Merb’s Candies began in 1921 under the care and vision of Emma Merb, a woman entrepreneur ahead of her time. From its earliest days, Merb’s became known for handmade candies and its warm, neighborhood feel. In the 1970s, it was sold via a newspaper ad in the New York Times to Robert Wright, whose family has shepherded its legacy for nearly 50 years. The business passed from Robert to his daughter, Teri Bearden, and then in 2023 to her daughter, Taylor Bearden—a third-generation owner keeping both the tradition and the storefront alive.

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A Legacy of Loyalty and Craft

Walk into Merb’s and you’ll often be greeted by long-time team members who have been crafting candies the old-fashioned way for decades. Matt Klein, who started as a 16-year-old cook, has worked at Merb’s for 45 years. His brother Rex joined 19 years ago. Their presence is part of what makes Merb’s more than a candy shop: it’s a living, breathing tradition, passed down through hands as much as recipes.

A Dutchtown Icon — and Beyond

Though rooted in Dutchtown, Merb’s reach is regional. Its famed Bionic Apples are sold in Dierbergs and Straub’s, making their way to holiday tables across the metro area. Yet the flagship store remains the soul of the operation: adapting, expanding, and continuing to fill every inch of space with joy. Even as the city has changed, Merb’s has stayed true to its values of family, accessibility, and generosity—offering discounts to police, firefighters, and EMS, and keeping prices fair so every family can share in a sweet tradition.

Looking Ahead with Heart

As Taylor Bearden takes the reins, Merb’s isn’t looking to reinvent the wheel—but to reinvest in the neighborhood it calls home. With dreams of better parking and deeper community engagement, Taylor is committed to keeping Merb’s a staple of Dutchtown’s future as well as its past.

In recognition of over 100 years of bringing joy, flavor, and tradition to St. Louis, Merb's was awarded the 2025 Legacy Business Award from the Neighborhood Innovation Center. From Emma Merb’s founding vision to three generations of the Bearden family, their commitment to craftsmanship, community, and continuity inspires us all. Merb's is more than a candy shop—it is a living legacy and a beloved Dutchtown landmark.

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