Anchored in Chocolate

Downtown business anchors come in many shapes, sizes and business plans.  Across our great state of Georgia, I've seen the local hardware store, pharmacy, or a cool restaurant play that lead role.  In Dahlonega, the anchor truly is sweet.

 Opened in the recession of the early 80s, this family owned business has occupied a corner of the charming downtown square for over three decades.  Tony Owens is a second generation owner of this unique chocoholic's dream store, purchasing the business from his parents in 2006.  Tony represents a growing trend of entrepreneurs in our state, taking the reigns from retiring parents. 

Though the key recipes remain the same, Tony has made changes to leave his mark on the company, changing hours, updating relationships and taking advantage of the internet. 

Tony believes that local product makes a big difference.  Whether its apples from Blue Ridge, cream from Clairmont, or south Georgia pecans, the Fudge Factory uses state grown products where possible and that adds to the story and the charm of this place.

The company listens to customers.  When surveying locals, Tony realized that many customers were being lost because of the stores hours.  You simply cannot close at 5 p.m. and hope that customers can leave work early to shop your goods.  A wholesale change of hours ensued.  The store opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.  Within the first year, Tony noted an 11% increase in sales!  The attention to customer needs and serving those needs has made all the difference.  Go by for a free sample, too.

Tony saw a need to build partnerships and go digital.  This local anchor sends products all over the world through it's e-commerce site at www.dahlonegafudgefactory.com.  This business includes corporate customers that get specialized packaging from the store and their customers get a sweet reminder that the corporate partner values their customers.



So what is the future for this important business in downtown Dahlonega?  It's growing.  Tony saw the need for a bakery downtown and is moving forward with a redevelopment project called Baked on Main to do just that.  It's great seeing entrepreneurs dive into other directions with the goal of giving back to the community and making an impact on their corner of the world.  Thank you, Tony!