Fudge Happens: Winter Slowdowns, Valentine’s Prep & Sweet Things Ahead

I’m excited to kick off something new in 2026. Fudge Happens is my way of sharing what’s happening inside the Fudge Kitchen — from the quiet winter days to the busy seasons filled with sweet moments. It gives me another place to share updates, changes, new products, and a little peek behind the scenes of life inside the Nashville Fudge Kitchen.

January and February always feel a bit different around here. After the holidays, foot traffic slows down, the town gets quieter, and we finally get a chance to catch our breath. That slower pace gives us time to regroup, clean, fix things that need fixing, and start gearing up for what’s next — Valentine’s Day, and then Spring Break, when the crowds roll back in and the days get busy again.

A Personal Update from the Fudge Kitchen

I also wanted to share a big personal update. Jay, my husband, co-owner and original “silent partner,” officially retired after 37 years with Duke Energy. Retirement means he’s now able to be here (part-time of course, as he did "retire")  helping me with all the things that come with running a small business — maintenance, equipment repairs, upkeep, and a long list of tasks that always seem to pop up.

Having him around has already made a huge difference, and I’m really grateful to be stepping into this next chapter together.

Valentine’s Day Is Keeping Us Busy ?

Even though winter is quieter out front, the kitchen is anything but slow. We’re in full Valentine’s Day production mode, and it’s been nonstop chocolate-making.

So far, we’ve made nearly 1,000 chocolate-dipped Oreos, and we’re currently working on packaging them up so they’re ready to go. Along with those, we’re busy producing all the Valentine’s favorites — truffles, fresh fudge, and chocolate-covered popcorn. If you’re shopping for Valentine’s Day gifts, be sure to explore our Valentine’s chocolates, truffles, and fudge, available in-store and online.

And of course, our 5-star caramels are still keeping us busy too, with orders shipping out almost daily. If you’re shopping for Valentine’s gifts, now’s a great time to stop in or browse our Valentine’s chocolates and fudge gifts before things really ramp up.

Looking Ahead: Nashville Chocolate Factory

One of the most exciting things coming up is the spring opening of Nashville Chocolate Factory. While we don’t have an exact opening date just yet, we’re getting closer, and I can’t wait to share more.

The Nashville Chocolate Factory will be located in Possum Trot Square at 173 S Van Buren Street, in the same building as Nashville Fudge Kitchen — just around back along the alley. This space will become home to all of our homemade chocolate confections, along with a DIY Chocolate Bar experience.

Later in 2026, we’ll also be offering small-group private events, especially geared toward girls’ trips, bridal parties, and other sweet celebrations. This project has been a long time coming, and it’s been really fun watching it come together.

Custom Chocolate Bars (One of My Favorite Things)

Another thing I’m especially excited about this year is our custom chocolate bars. These have quickly become a favorite, and we’re now promoting them more to local groups, tourist rentals, wedding planners, and bridal parties.

Each bar can be fully personalized — with company logos, names, dates, or special messages — making them perfect for weddings, events, and meaningful celebrations. The creative possibilities are endless, and I love seeing how people use them to mark special moments. Learn more about our custom chocolate bars and how we can help make your next event extra sweet.

What’s Happening Around Town

Nashville is always full of things to do, and we love being part of this community. Below is a link to our local community calendar, where you can find upcoming events, festivals, and happenings around town.

-> Brown County Community Events & Happenings

Thanks so much for supporting our little corner of sweetness. I’m looking forward to Valentine’s Day, Spring Break, and everything this year has in store for us.

Sweet Regards,
Beth
Nashville Fudge Kitchen