Third Generation Candy Shop Expands Sweet Success Into Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The family-run candy business Robinson's Chocolates has some sweet news. They are expanding to open a second location in Hillsborough on Friday.

A grand opening and ribbon cutting with Hillsborough Mayor John Ciccarelli and Committee members will be held on May 9 at 3:45 p.m. at 438 Route 206, Suite 9B, in the former Heavenly Sweets location.

Robinson's Chocolates first opened in 1978 in Skillman by Jim Robinson.

"My grandfather was a candy maker his whole life. He said it was the only job he could get in the depression. So he started working as a young teenager in a candy factory, and then just picked up the craft and then he made a career out of it," said Pattie Robinson, who co-owns the candy shop with her father who is also named Jim.

Pattie's grandfather would teach people how to make candy and make it himself in the department stores.

"Then in late 1978, my grandfather was visiting us as kids and joked that it would be a great place for a candy store," said Pattie.

The next day, Robinson's grandfather and father went looking for locations and opened in Skillman.

Pattie later got involved in the family business around 2010 whenher mother fell ill with dementia, and her father needed help with the store.

Jim sat down Pattie and her two sisters and said, "Listen, either somebody's got to step up and help, or we got to shut the door, because I can't do it all," said Pattie.

"Well, this is like a gift horse, right? Who gets this opportunity to run an established business?" said Pattie. "So I raised my hand and I said, I will give it a shot, and I never really looked back."

She began by learning the front of the store and how to manage, take orders, file sales tax, and more.

As her father got up in age, she realized she had to learn how to make the candy and chocolates as well to avoid it from becoming a dying art.

"It's already a dying art, because very few places make their own chocolate. Most chocolate shops buy from a certain wholesale distributor. And we make everything here on premise in the Montgomery location," said Pattie.

Pattie's father, at the age of 89, still comes to work every day. He even has his own Instagram story series called "In The Kitchen With Jim" on Robinson Chocolates' page, instagram.com/robinsonschocolates.

Now, the father and daughter duo are continuing to share their passion with the new store opening with free samples and prizes.

The Hillsborough store offers many of the same products as the Montgomery store, including custom orders for events like first communions, weddings, and corporate gifts, with various themes and molds available.

They are also already planning for Mother's Day on Sunday with some specials.

"It feels great to continue the legacy," said Pattie.

For more information on Robinson's Chocolates or to make an order, visit robinsonschocolates.com or instagram.com/robinsonschocolates.

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