One student has found her shot at sweet success: opening a candy store.
This past October, junior exercise science major Audrey Hall opened The Cottage in Albany, Ind., a homemade fudge shop filled with creations she dreamed up.
“[The decision to make] fudge mostly stemmed from the fact [that] it wasn’t a common item in the town of Albany,” Hall said. “There was a dime store that sold other candies, and we didn’t want to take away from them. We found something to set us apart.”
When she started, Hall’s only experience with fudge was making it a couple times at home. To make a name for herself, she not only needed to perfect the recipes, but produce them on a larger scale.
The small stone building resembles something straight out of a fairy tale. In past years, it has housed everything from a gas station to a hair salon. Hall’s parents, Dru and Selena, liked the building, and before they knew it, The Cottage celebrated its grand opening Oct. 23.
“We have a few frequent shoppers, but there has been quite a variety of people who have come in,” Hall said. “The ones I really enjoy are the visitors who are just swinging through.”
Making fudge is something she has learned as she goes. When customers stop in and share stories or talk about their favorite flavors, Hall gets new ideas.
“It keeps things fresh,” she said.
Though the best seller is the traditional peanut butter fudge, Hall considers Butterfinger and orange cream to be her favorites. She said The Cottage has virtually endless possibilities of flavor combinations.
One of the “weirdest” creations Hall said is raspberry crumb cake with the tang of the fruit and the warmth of the cinnamon. Another concoction is The Cottage’s original wildcat fudge — mixed vanilla and chocolate fudge with pieces of Heath bars, Reese’s cups and caramel layered throughout.
The store celebrated the holidays with eggnog and candy cane fudges.
In addition to fudge, The Cottage works closely with Concannon’s, Debbie’s Handmade Soaps, Nana’s Candles and purchases eclectic jewelry from various suppliers. Hall said supporting local people and their crafts is important.
Balancing her course load at Ball State along with running her own business leaves little time for outside activities.
“Business is a tough arena, but we think that Audrey will have goals and aspirations that will be successful for a long time,” her father said. “We are glad to see our daughter become an educated young woman who has a great opportunity to add to her personal legacy and also support the goal of being a successful business woman.”
Hall plans to work in chiropractics and one day operate her own office, but for now, she is focused on finding time to add creativity to the store and its products.
“I want people to see something neat, unique, crafty and of course, tasty,” she said.
With her parents, friends and classmates supporting her every step of the way, Hall is sure The Cottage will be around long after her time at Ball State.
“Audrey is a star in our eyes,” her father said. “We do not mind sharing her with the world.”
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