Sweet Dreams Come True at the Whistle Stop Sweet Shop | Shopping & Services

Like several of you, I am working on all of my New Year's goals.  Workout more, eat less, get famous and skinny... yada yada yada.  For the most part, I am doing well(except for the skinny/famous one).  So when I decide to treat myself, I need the good stuff. 

Hi. My name is Beth and I am a chocoholic.  And if you want to know where to get some fudge that will have you going Whoo Whoo, head to Downtown Madison.  The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop is one of the newest businesses in the booming downtown.

I first learned about this magical fudge when I was at the Madison Street Festival and had a taste. My mother was standing right there and I literally smacked her on the arm and said, "Yum!"  So believe me when I say this sweet treat is smack yo' mama good!

I sat down with the Whistle Stop Sweet Shop's owner, Lynn Crumbly, and her friend/creative genius/local artist Crystal McBrayer.

Lynn grew up in Northwest Georgia and that's where she learned how to make fudge. Lynn worked with a woman in Cave Springs, GA who would have people drive for hours to get some of her homemade goodies.

Lynn and her husband moved to Alabama and she owned her own shop in the 90's and she started making her own fudge and candies.  She later sold the shop, but kept her fudge making equipment.

In 2010 Lynn and her husband bought a home on Front Street in Downtown Madison. They remodeled and renovated the home and loved living in the quaint area of downtown.

Lynn felt that Downtown could use more shops and when the opportunity came along to open up her own sweet shop, she decided to go for it. She said it happened in the blink of an eye.

The building was previously only used for storage, so they started another remodeling job for the Whistle Stop Sweet Shop in 2012.

Lynn said that when she met Crystal she just clicked.  When the shop opened, she asked her friend, "Are ya in?" Crystal said that she has been blessed to be a part of the labor of love. 

Lynn and Crystal worked to create a nostalgic atmosphere for their customers and on November 24th, they opened for the first time.

Both ladies said that it is fantastic to be part of Downtown Madison that is getting revitalized and coming alive. They say it's exciting to see the Historic area being spruced up and they hope more and more people come and visit the hidden gem.

The first two months this business has been open have been overwhelming and amazing for the two friends.  They have used their community connections to bring people into the shop and relied on word of mouth.  They also are big believers in social media and you can find them posting the latest flavors and news on their Facebook Page.

One of the ways they like to kick it old school is their window paintings.  It brings an old timey feel with an artistic twist to the shop.

The name of the shop came about because of being downtown and so close to the train.  They have a cool train that goes around the top of the shop. They even have train whistles, yo yo's and jump ropes.  One of the nicest compliments that Lynn has gotten was when a kid said he liked coming to the shop better than Chuck E. Cheese.

One of the things that Lynn said she was going to do when she opened was not reinvent the wheel. She was going to use the great product to get people in the door and use customer service skills to keep them coming back.

Customers can find more than fudge in Whistle Stop Sweet Shop, they can find gift items from throughout the Southeast and even some local art.  Crystal and Lynn offer gift baskets (at no extra charge) where you pick out what you want, and they will wrap it up all pretty for you.

They also do custom orders for fudge and candy.  If you are having a wedding or event, they are able to help give your celebration some chocolate flair.  Just stop by and talk with them, shoot them and email, or give them a call.

Lynn and Crystal are looking forward to February and Valentine's day.  They are taking special orders of little - big hearts made of fudge.  You can personalize it, and let your honey know you are a sweetie.

But don't worry if it comes down to the day of Valentine's day and you haven't bought anything.  They can still hook you up with hand dipped chocolate treats, fudge, or custom gifts. 

Lynn and Crystal have gotten so much support for the business that they give back to the community as much as they can. They are delighted to help out local schools and organizations.

So take your sweet tooth on a stroll through downtown Madison and grab some chocolate peanut butter fudge or one of their newest flavors and say hi to Lynn and Crystal.