"If you go back 60, 70 years, Boston was thecandy capital of the world," Marshall said. "Butnow there's more action in the middle of thecountry."

Marshall attributed this shift to the Midwest'scentral location and its abundance of materialslike corn syrup and sugar.

But if the candy business has slowed down inthe Boston area, the industry in general isbooming, according to Cheek.

"Despite a lagging economy, the U.S. confectionindustry has seen tremendous growth," he said.Retail sales of candy are expected to climb to $14billion in 1992, Cheek said, and the averageAmerican will eat 21 pounds of confections thisyear.

Cheek attributes the boom to increased consumerawareness that candy does not necessarily causehealth problems.

"We've been able to dispel myths." he said."[There is] more understanding of the roleconfections can play in a healthy, sound diet andlifestyle," he said