The Serenity of Shopping:
Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream Shoppe
Anyone visiting the lakeshore knows the location of the nearest Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream Shoppe. Started in northern Michigan in 1947 by Don and Katy Kilwin, the brand has grown to over fifty stores nationwide under current owners Don and Robin McCarty. Whether you’re in the mood for custom fine chocolates, coconut clusters, or hand-paddled fudge, Kilwin’s is the place to be year round.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, just head over to the Kilwin’s shops in downtown Holland, Saugatuck, St. Joseph and South Haven. In the summer, Saugatuck operates two Kilwin’s stores almost directly across the street from each other on Butler Street. (For the rest of the year, however, only the big Kilwin’s at the corner of Butler and Mason remains open.)
Don’t forget that Kilwin’s also sells ice cream in their stores, so after you’ve bought a bag of sea foam, salt water taffy or chocolate bon-bons, get a scoop or two of their hand-packed ice cream to help you stay cool on a warm day.
You may encounter a long line during summer season, but enjoy the wait with a free sample of chocolate while breathing in the delightful aromas of fudge – which is made on tables right across from the candy counter.
Keep in mind that when you buy chocolate covered nuts at the store, the nuts have all been roasted and salted at Kilwin’s. Here’s a very short list of the delightful confections available at Kilwin’s: almond toffee crunch, chocolate covered pretzels, fudge covered apples, bear claws, milk chocolate maltballs, chocolate espresso beans, caramel corn, peanut brittle, turtle fudge, jars of ice cream topping, truffles and sugar-free candy. In fact, Kilwin’s sells over 500 products that are made in the store.
Kilwin’s along the lakeshore:
Kilwin’s Holland
62 East 8th Street
Holland, MI 49423
616-393-8961
Kilwin’s Saugatuck #1
152 Butler Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453
269-857-1195
Kilwin’s Saugatuck #2
119-121 Butler Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453
269-857-1195
Kilwin’s South Haven
415 Phoenix Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-639-1195
Kilwin’s St. Joseph
217 State Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-982-1330
Unless otherwise indicated, all Lake Effect Living photographs are the work and property of Sharon Pisacreta.
June - July '11