The Fudge Cottage: ‘Best smelling shop in the world’ is set to close its doors
Much-loved ice cream bar The Fudge Cottage, dubbed ‘the best smelling shop in the world’, has announced it is closing.
The Palmview store on the Sunshine Coast announced the shock decision that it will close on April 14 as 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 cream.
“The decline in foot traffic has made it increasingly difficult for us to thrive,” the company posted on Instagram.
Beloved ice cream bar The Fudge Cottage (pictured), dubbed ‘the best smelling shop in the world’, has announced it is closing
Despite our efforts, we have made the difficult decision to say goodbye to our beloved storefront.’
Customers can still place orders for chocolate fudge and ice cream through Smootchies Handmade, an affiliate, or online.
Orders are shipped nationwide until the store closes.
The company recently opened a store at the Eumundi Markets, 25 miles north of Palmview, welcoming customers every Wednesday and Friday.
Jade Rodighiero, who took over as head of the store after taking over the business in 2021, said upgrades to sections of the Bruce Highway have reduced footfall.
The state and federal governments have committed $813 million to widen the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway.
“We feel like there has been a lot of drop in attendance over the last year,” Ms Rodighiero said news.com.au
‘The shop next to us is closed.’
The Fudge Cottage has been voted ‘the best smelling shop in the world’
Ms Rodighiero said the business was reduced to just $100 a day, after previously taking in $3,500 a week.
Hundreds of social media users responded to a TikTok video the company posted Monday, saying they were disappointed the store had to close.
“I’m sorry to hear this,” said one user.
“Getting toffee from you was always a highlight of my travels, I begged my parents and they always let me,” wrote another.
Others said the highway upgrades meant in-store shopping was no longer possible.
‘I don’t think changing the highway exits helped! Now when we travel that way we always miss the exit,” said one user.
Some said the store should be moved to another area where they are likely to get more customers.
The company announced the decision to close the store (pictured) via Instagram due to reduced foot traffic