Local fixture Poppa’s Fudge Factory has been a staple in the community for decades.
Locals and tourists alike know the establishment as a one-stop shop for all things gifting, homewares, amazing food, and, of course, fudge.
In what feels like the end of an era, Vicki and Kevin “Poppa” Powderly are stepping down from their roles as owners and handing the reins to the new owners after 27 years.
Vicki shared with us some of their journey from the business’s conception to how far they’ve come.
“My husband, Poppa, retired from the electrical business—we sold it to the boys—and I said, ‘Well, if you're going to retire, I'd like to open up a home and gift store.’ So that's what we did, 27 years ago," Vicki said.
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She shared their inspiration for the business to be the one-stop shop for anyone needing gifts, from a small thought to something more extravagant, they had the town covered.
“We wanted to base our business on—it’s like an American movie—where someone goes in and gets a beautiful, beautiful present, gift-wrapped, and walks out with this amazing, amazing gift.” Vicki said.
The business later expanded, slowly moving toward the institution we all know and love.
“In 2005, we decided to get into the tourism side.
"We’d seen fudge at different trade places we went to.
"We mulled over it for quite a while, probably about eight or twelve months, thinking, will we do this?
"It’s going to mean longer hours and more days, and we went for it.”
The journey with fudge began with some lessons from a veteran of the industry and the pay off has been immense, with celebrities even making appearances at the shop over the years.
“Captain Fudge came into the store and taught Poppa how to cook the fudge," Vicki said.
"We started off with ten varieties and it was a massive success.
"We had the line up down the street.
"Now there’s about 55 varieties that we can make, some are seasonal.
"Sandwich fudge is for Australia Day, basically, and it was a great hit because we had Paul Murray come down, he was ambassador for Australia Day, and he came into the store and gave it a plug,” Vicki said.
“Eight months after we started the fudge, we decided we’d put all the confectionery in and away it took off.”
With changes in other local businesses' there were gaps created in what was available locally, so Vicki and Kevin decided to aim to fill those.
“We could see a gap there when the other JD’s stopped operating, so we decided we’d jump in and cook our own (jams and preserves)," she said.
"Everything’s done by hand, no machinery.
"There were two kitchens.”
They also take pride in being able to showcase the local growers and farmers by using as much local fruits and vegetables as possible.
“We’ve always sourced locally," Vicki said.
"All fresh fruit and vegetables.
"We’ve loved highlighting such great local produce.”
Being a very popular spot for Christmas gifting, there are plenty of holiday jobs due to the sheer scale of how many locals head to the shop for all their holiday needs.
“During the cherry festival season and even Christmas, we’d be pumping out about 200 portions a day," Vicki said.
"It’s an army of workers at that time of year.
"It’s a production."
However, now it's time for Vicki and Kevin to pass the mantle on and take a step back.
“Seven days a week, 27 years, it’s time,” Vicki said.
“Sometimes we’d be down here at five o’clock in the morning and wouldn’t get home until late.”
“It became a very, very successful business through sheer hard work.
"It’s not for everyone, it’ll wear you down."
“I was a bit reluctant, but I thought, I can’t do this forever.
"It’s time.”
There will be a transition period as Vicki and Kevin pass the business on to new hands and teach them all of the tricks to the trade.
“The new owners are local people," Vicki said.
"It’s going to be in good hands.
"They’re very enthusiastic, we’re staying on to help with the transition.
“It’s their baby now.
"It’s quite funny, yesterday I had a couple in the shop and they said, ‘Wow, this shop is amazing!’ and I said, ‘Thank you,’ and they asked, ‘Do you own it?’ and I said, ‘Actually no, I don’t anymore.’ I’m getting used to that—it’s not my baby anymore.”
Though Vicki said it's time, it doesn't mean that it isn't the end of an era.
“Handing it over is a little bit bittersweet," Vicki said.
"We’re ready, but I’m really happy for them because there’s enough wiggle room in it to take it to the next step.”
As for what Kevin and Vicki will be up to in their retirement?
“We’ve decided we’ll do a few trips," Vicki said.
“I don’t know how I’ll go with retirement, Kevin’s tried, this is his third time, it doesn’t work!”
Over the past almost 30 years there have been many moments that the business owners will treasure and some they will think on with sadness, however, they believe without the community support they will always be grateful for the chance to be a part of something iconic.
“There’s been a lot of great times, more great times than not-so-great ones," Vicki said.
"But over the last four years, personally, it’s been a challenge, different things have happened in our lives.
“The business got us through that.
"The community were the ones who rallied when we needed help.
“We’ve always been very community-minded.
"We love what we do—and when you love it, it loves you back.
“We’ll miss it, but in time, you learn to love retirement, so we’ll give it a crack, like everything else!”
