Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Melville.
Joe, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Joe Melville and my story begins making Lobster Lollipops as early as I can remember in our two-family home in Quincy MA called Melville Candy. We sold small boutiques, gift stores and local candy shops close to our home. The molds and recipes were passed down from my great uncle, George Flynn who actually had retail candy stores named Flynn’s Fudge Shops in the late 1940’s and 1950’s in Boston Ma.
He was most known for his great fudge but also the classic lobster-shaped lollipop which later becomes our flagship item at Melville Candy. These great lobster lollipops are still made today here in Randolph MA using the same recipe and molds used back then. Growing up around candy my whole life I always had dreams of someday being able to build a new candy factory. So once I was old enough to drive I worked hard at selling our lobster lollipops to all the great candy stores, gift shops, aquariums and seafood restaurants all around New England.
Today we sell our lollipops all over the United States direct from our new factory in Randolph MA. Always, remember that this magic carpet ride all started out of my two family home in Quincy MA making this an amazing journey and incredible New England Story!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth ride. I believe all business have obstacles and challenges. I would say our biggest challenge was always having enough money to fund the growth the of the business. It wasn’t until 2005 when Rockland Trust took a big leap of faith into Melville Candy when the road started getting smoother.
Please tell us about Melville Candy Corporation.
Melville Candy specializes in manufacturing custom shape hard candy lollipops, chocolate, marshmallows, and cookies. We make and pack everything by hand in small batches which set us apart from others in the industry.
We are best known for our flagship item the Classic Red Lobster Lollipop. I am most proud of the people we have that work for us. We consider everyone family and watching them share in the same passion for the business as we do makes me most proud!!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory was my dad bringing lollipops into my school for all the teachers and students every year growing up. It was def the coolest thing about having a family candy business!!
Contact Info:
- Address: 28 York Ave Randolph MA 02368
- Website: www.melvillecandycompany.com
- Phone: 1-800-638-8063
- Email: joe@candy.com
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