YUM-e Blog by Chellsie Parker
Mike and DeAnn Schmitt have been making candy for our regions sweet tooth, sugar lovers for more than a decade. DeAnn said the idea came to her one Thanksgiving more than 10 years ago when Mike made homemade caramel for the family. Growing up in Chicago, DeAnn said it tasted just like Fanny Mae’s. That’s when she had a lightbulb moment. For years, Mike was a construction safety officer and would get laid off. The last time he was laid off, DeAnn saw that people were starting to sell homemade candy on Etsy. She said they started renting kitchens to give Mike a space for making his sweet creations. They sold everywhere they could, from online, to art festivals and the Franklin Street Bazar. The business was so successful online they were able to open their own store front. It’s a cute little shop at 422 Main Street in Evansville. When you walk in, you’ll find Mike at the back making his handmade candy creations. Mike said everything he makes he sources locally. If it’s for his bourbon truffles and bourbon balls, he’s going to Kentucky. If it’s strawberry, he’s using real ones. There’s no fancy equipment that dips their strawberry marshmallows in warm chocolate. That’s all mike doing every piece of candy by hand. The most surprising and wonderful treat was tasting the real strawberries in the homemade marshmallows. It’s a treat they are known for. They also have a wide variety of flavors from Cookies and Cream and S’mores to Lemon Cream and Chocolate Mint Marshmallows. Of course, you can also get a wide variety of caramels and caramel clusters. If you have a real sweet tooth, you can join their candy of the month program and get a sample box sent to you every month.
Sweet Schmitt’s Candy
422 North Main St.
Evansville, IN 47711
(812) 568-2795
www.sweetschmitts.com
YUM-e Blogs are written and produced by E-REP team members!
Copy written by: Chellsie Parker | Video by: Ashley Riester