A Sweet Treasure - Robin’s Candy offers treats for Chanukah and every day (Originally published 12/14)

Most children grow up in responsible homes where candy is only offered as a special treat. As the granddaughter of the owners of a popular candy shop in New York, Robin Hefland grew up literally surrounded by candy. Spending many delicious days taste testing and getting to know some of the all-time classic candies, she also learned what it took to make customers happy, even without sugar in their systems.

Years later, as the owner of Robin’s Candy (www.robinscandy.com), Helfand continues to bring those familial lessons and delicious treats to friends across the Commonwealth and around the world.

Getting her own start in food-related retail as a member of the brand management team for Proctor & Gamble, Helfand eventually took her BA from Tufts and Marketing MBA from Cornell to the famed Dean & Deluca specialty store in New York. After becoming the first female manager at the chic chain’s original store, Helfand went off on her own and opened a bakery and gourmet store in Millerton, NY. When the bread ovens began to melt the nearby chocolate that was on display, Helfand had to make a choice.

The rest is sweet history!

Crossing back over the border with Massachusetts to raise her children, Helfand also used the opportunity to revisit the lessons she had learned from her parents and grandparents. Thus was the first Robin’s Candy store born in Great Barrington, MA.

“We consider ourselves a candy store for the kid in every grownup,” Helfand explains, noting that she takes a great deal of inspiration and ideas from her children and her young staff but always tries to make visits to Robin’s enjoyable for all ages.

With their mature and multi-generational selection of sweets, Helfand often welcomes entire families, every member of which is sure to find a favorite whether they visit her store in the Berkshires or on Newbury Street in Boston.

“Grandma and Grandpa will find something they have not enjoyed in 50 years,” Helfand explains. “The parents pick up things they grew up with…and are taken back to the days of their first allowances. And the child…tells their parents to try [something] because it’s the taste of the future.”

While many customers often visit both of her stores, Helfand observes that tastes can differ from rural to urban and west to east.

“The customer in the city of Boston is frequently looking for the newest and the most cutting edge in terms of flavors and trends,” she suggests. “This is typically different from what our Great Barrington customers want, but we cater to both.”

Not only has the newer store made a splash among sweet-savvy locals, it is already mandatory stop on many tourists’ itineraries and also on Boston’s famed Chocolate Tours and Duck Tours, as well as the Greater Boston Food Tour.

“They reached out to us based on our ‘wit n’ wisdom’ Tweets,” the social media-conscious candy connoisseur explains, “which are funny observations about our confections and our unique gifts.”
In addition to attracting tour companies, Robin’s unique offerings also attract tourists and locals again and again.

“When people come in,” says Helfand, who has repeatedly been awarded “Best Fudge in Boston” and cited as a “Top 10 Candy Store” by multiple publications across the country, “they seem to really like the hard to find items that we specialize in.”

From locally-made chocolate and artisanal, custom-made cake pops, Tennessee fudge and Mochi ice cream flown in from Hawaii, Helfand’s carefully curated collection of candies ranges from Aero Bars to Wax Lips and includes a wide array of truffles, a two-pound marshmallow, a 27-pound gummy bear, and one of the largest selections of licorice varieties in the world! The Newbury Street store even offers chocolate candies shaped like the Commons’ famed Mallard family from the multi-generational classic Make Way for Ducklings.

“It is a great way to remember your visit,” Helfand suggests.

In addition to special items, Helfand also caters to special requests. This is why Robin’s also has one of the largest selections of gluten-free, nut-free and Kosher candies and treats in the region.

“We attempt to provide a broad selection of sweets to as many different customers as possible,” Helfand explains. “We have found that, when customers find foods that meet their specific needs, they are appreciative and they tend to come back and bring their friends. It tends to endear us to customers which makes everyone happy!”
Among Robin’s endearing Judaica selections are a Chanukah countdown calendar, solid chocolate menorah, authentic Israeli candles and drediels, Hebrew building blocks, stickers and cookie cutters and even a blueberry rock candy Magen David. The Great Barrington store also stocks Yiddish greeting cards.

“People say that they have never encountered such a wide selection,” Helfand smiles, “including their own Judaica shops at their congregations!”

No matter what they come for or what leave with, all of Robin’s guests go out with a smile on their face and a special mini-toothbrush in their hand.

“Robin’s is the candy store with a conscience,” Helfand explains. “We need our customers to keep that sweet tooth healthy!”