There is a sweet fragrance permeating the city of Poplarville.

The aroma is characterized by melting chocolate, caramel and pecans. 

Robicheaux’s Specialty Candy, Inc. is the source of the mouthwatering scents. 

Laura Robicheaux taught math in St. Charles Parish for 30 years.

After retiring, she and husband Francis moved to Poplarville. 

“After we built our house, we had this little cabin in the back that we used as a weekend getaway and I asked my husband if I could start a business,” Robicheaux said. 

It all began in 1992 they set up shop in the cabin and began making pralines. 

Robicheaux said her business just evolved from there. 

She attended wholesale markets, where storeowners look for products to fill space.

Ninety-five percent of the business is wholesale, which means storeowners contact Robicheaux and orders are shipped to them.  

“We make the product for the order, when customers get the order from us, it’s as fresh as it can be,” Robicheaux said. 

Robicheaux said their signature candy is the pecan turtle, a mixture of caramel and pecans dipped in chocolate. 

There are many other tasty treats to discover at Robicheaux’s including: decorated Oreos and pretzels, rocky road fudge, glazed nuts, pecan snack mix, cookies and crème fudge and a variety of sugar free candies. 

Robicheaux said she has had the same customers for more than 20-years. 

Her candy is shipped to as far away as California, Pennsylvania and Florida. 

The candy can be found locally at Apples, The Other Side, Way Out West and Paul’s Pastry Shop in Picayune. 

Robicheaux said she does a lot of business in the Southeast and Midwest. 

“This is a high-end candy,” Robicheaux said. “We sell to casinos, gift shops, drug stores and gift basket companies.”

Robicheaux employs a small staff of three women, but said her girls are “awesome.” 

“They are great, I hardly have to tell them to do anything. They know their job and they go after it,” Robicheaux said. “They are all easy to get along with. It is a little family here.”

Linda Ashe has been working for the Robicheauxs since 2002.

Ashe is retired and said this job is just extra money and she enjoys making candy.

The fudge is her favorite candy. 

Donna Gunderson previously worked in restaurant kitchens. 

In 2006, Gunderson said she met the “family of her dreams.”

“I knew one of the family members and they introduced me to the Robicheauxs. It’s a good atmosphere here. I like working with the people,” Gunderson said. 

Her favorite candy is the cookies and cream fudge. 

Rhonda Buckley, who is the facility manager, has been with Robicheaux’s for 15 years.

“My mother worked here, she’s the reason I’m here. This is my family,” Buckley said. 

Buckley’s favorite candy is the white chocolate cashew.

“I love my business. I’m 73-years-old and should be retired. But I would go berserk just sitting around. It’s just an itty-bitty business we love,” Robicheaux said. 

Contact Robicheaux’s by phone at 601-795-6833, (800) 688-1941 and by fax at 601-795-3183 to place an order.

Orders can also be placed via the website at robicheauxcandy.com. 

Find the business on Facebook at Robicheaux’s Specialty Candy.