When a badass biker speeds past you on the interstate, it’s fair to say you don’t immediately think rock candy and lollipops.
But Wes Raley, founder of Raley’s Confectionary, was different. Ever the rebel, he hopped on his Harley to flee the tedium of his medical laboratory technology degree. When he hit Tallahassee, Raley wound up in a decidedly more delicious science – candy making.
Not content to remain just another kid-in-a-candy-store, Raley applied for a job at Sugar Sugar, a local shop he’d seen on the Food Network. There, the biker dude fully applied himself to his work and no longer felt an urge to flee. Within two months he was crafting long rolls of glossy pulled sugar, then cutting them into cheeky rock candies.
Eventually, Raley got good enough to open his own store. With the encouragement of the Tallahassee business community, he and his wife quit their day jobs and threw themselves into building Raley’s Confectionary. He was able to channel his rebellious side into kooky creations like “Acid Drops” (“No Affiliation with Timothy Leary”) and “Emoticandies,” a mixed bag of emoticons in awesome flavors. All we can say is :D :P *\0/*
Raley is always up for custom candies that have included everything from pentagrams to pernicious pumpkins. He’s really a master of his art. A “Rock Star,” if you will.
We’re also sweet on his blue and white Hanukkah Mints and Chai Five Candies, tart Cherry Candies, fruity Holiday Mix, buzz-worthy Honey Bee Candies (those little bees are so friggin’ cute!) and X&O Candies (which seem to fill every nook and cranny in the office come February).
Rock on, candy man. Rock on.