With Easter Sunday less than a week away, people from across Erie are stopping by local chocolate makers such as Stefanelli's Candies to stock up for the holiday.

Sales & Shipping Manager Erin Dyne says the increase in customers has tripled in recent weeks, and usually rises around holidays such as Easter or Valentine's Day

She says those customers are needed, as business seem to dry up during the warmer months, as candy-related holidays become sparse.

"It's a seasonal business," said Dyne. "So it's a hit or miss, and it's gotta hit. It's really needed, that's what gets us through the summer and back to our sale [starting in November]. So it's a huge increase in customers and it's very appreciated."

But even with so many customers coming in ahead of Easter, it likely isn't a surprise to see which of Stefanelli's products is their biggest seller this time of year.

"The molded chocolate is always our number one, that's what people come in for at Stefanelli's," continued Dyne. "So it is the Easter bunnies, it is the colorful foils, and of course it is the giant Easter eggs."

And with so many other local, and national chocolate makers to choose from, how important is it to Stefanelli's to have their customers choose them?

"It's very important," added Dyne. "It's a small, family owned business, and we rely and depend on the community to get us through these seasonal influxes."