The Fudge Cottage: ‘Best smelling shop in the world’ is set to close its doors
By Pranav Harish For Daily Mail Australia[1]
Published: 09:43, 21 March 2024 | Updated: 09:43, 21 March 2024
Much loved ice cream bar, The Fudge Cottage, dubbed 'the best smelling shop in the world' has announced it will be closing down.
The store located in Palmview on the Sunshine Coast, revealed the shocking decision it will shut up shop on April 14, because upgrades to the Bruce Highway have resulted in fewer customers visiting the store.
The desert bar has been in business since 2005 and sold a range of sweet treats, including chocolate fudge and handmade ice creams.
'The decline in foot traffic has made it increasingly challenging for us to thrive,' the business posted on Instagram[2].
Much loved ice cream bar, The Fudge Cottage (pictured), dubbed 'the best smelling shop in the world' has announced it will be closing down
Despite out best efforts, we've made the difficult decision to bid farewell to our beloved storefront.'
Customers can still place orders for chocolate fudge and ice creams at the Smootchies Handmade, an associated business, or online.
Orders will continue to shipped nationwide until the store closes.
The business recently opened up a store at the Eumundi Markets, 40 km north of Palmview, which will welcome customers every Wednesday and Friday.
Jade Rodighiero, who became the head of the store after she took over the business in 2021, said upgrades to the parts of the Bruce Highway has reduced the number of visitors.
The state and federal governments pledged £813million to widen the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway.
'We feel a lot of foot traffic has dropped in the last year,' Ms Rodighiero told news.com.au[3]
'The shop next to us closed down.'
The Fudge Cottage has been dubbed 'the best smelling shop in the world'
Ms Rodighiero said the business was reduced to making just £100 a day, after it was previously raking in £3,500 a week.
Hundreds of social media users commented on a TikTok video the business posted on Monday saying they were disappointed the store was forced to close.
'So sorry to hear this,' one user said.
'Getting fudge from you was always a highlight of my trips, i'd beg my parents and they'd always let me,' another wrote.
Others said the upgrades to the motorway meant it could no longer shop at the store.
'I think changing the highway exits has not helped!
We always miss the exit now when we are travelling that way,' one user said.
Some chimed in saying the store should be relocated to another area where they will likely get more customers.
The business took to Instagram to announce the touch decision to close the store (pictured) due to reduced foot traffic
Instagrameaster[4][5]References
- ^ Pranav Harish For Daily Mail Australia (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Instagram (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ news.com.au (www.news.com.au)
- ^ Instagram (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ easter (www.dailymail.co.uk)