FudgeVille’s treat supply decimated by NQ’s sweet tooths after grand opening

Dozens of kilograms of fudge were snaffled by ravenous sweet tooths after a new store opened in Townsville this week. See what they’re offering.

Leighton Smith

@LeightonESmith

2 min read

June 10, 2024 - 12:16PM

Townsville Bulletin

Fudgeville owners Kate and David Tilson. Picture: Evan Morgan

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Lured by the prospect of sampling over 20 flavours of mouth-watering fudge, a stampede of sweet tooths has swept through the door of Townsville’s newly opened shop, FudgeVille.

Situated at 112a Charters Towers Road, Hermit Park, FudgeVille hosted its grand opening celebrations last week, where hundreds of visitors tantalised their tastebuds with specialty handmade fudge, curated selection of lollies, chocolates, and marvelled at the locally produced dessert themed bath products and homewares on display.

FudgeVille realises the creative vision of Townsville couple and co-owners Dave and Katie Tilson, whose first date was to a chocolate shop in Daylesford, Victoria, 20 years ago.

Mr Tilson can trace his love for fudge to his childhood, when as a 10-year-old, he submitted a recipe for Tilly’s Top Secret Fudge to his Scout Troops Cooking Book, back when fudge only came in one flavour – chocolate.

After working in defence, emergency services, and the NDIS, Mr Tilson lasted one and a half days in retirement before getting “itchy feet” and suggesting that they open a fudge shop.

FudgeVille offers a variety of fudges, lollies and homewares. Picture: Supplied.

The idea has proven to be a hit, with sweet tooths reducing their 65kg of fudge stockpile to 8kg in a matter of days.

“We’re using a commercial system for the basic recipe. You start with different types of bases, like plain, chocolate, or caramel and then you add your various mix-ins,” Mr Tilson said.

Hundreds of residents with sweet-tooths visited FudgeVille's over the weekend. Picture: Supplied.

“We’ve got access to around about 400 recipes for different types of fudge and we’re also making up our own as we go along.

“At the moment we’ve got about 28 different flavours of fudge and nougat that we’re experimenting with, and we can also expand that to some seasonal things throughout the year.”

FudgeVille offers over 20 flavours of handmade fudge. Picture: Supplied.

The business is open to fudge flavour requests, quickly adding a suggested fruit tingle flavour to their range, and research underway for a vegan offering.

A qualified beauty therapist, Ms Tilson had been making her own skincare line before branching off to make the shop’s unique homewares, like ice cream sundae candles, “desserty” smelling candles, musk sticks, room sprays, reed diffusers, and wax melts.

Also featured was a chocolate base for the “world’s best” hot chocolate, just in time for winter.

Fudgeville owners Kate and David Tilson with Colliers leasing executive Reagan Stokley. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Tilsons stumbled across the Charters Towers property while scouting for the ideal location, reaching out to Colliers leasing executive Reagan Stokley to secure a two-year lease with a two year option.

“David and Katie inspected the space with me and due to the affordable rent and prime exposure of 122 Charters Towers Road, this quickly became the perfect spot for their new fudge shop,” Mr Stokley said.

“It is always great to see different concepts come to town and again with the great exposure, I hope that the name Fudgeville gets out there in good time.”