Three Oaks debuts new sweets stop with Sweet On Elm

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Colleen Froehlich has found her sweet spot on Elm Street in Three Oaks.

In addition to Froehlich’s Kitchen and Pantry and Froehlich’s Bakery, which are located on North Elm Street, she’s decided to add some sweets to the mix: Sweet On Elm.

“Of course, she’s offering the best of goodies and gifts that are possible here in Three Oaks,” Kimberlee Wendt, executive director of the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce, said during the business’ ribbon-cutting Sunday, June 11.

Froehlich said that people have already told her that stepping into the building has jogged their memories, as they reminisced hanging out by the soda fountain when it used to be a drug store.

“This whole thing was a culmination of all of us surviving Covid and realizing that I just wanted to do something that makes people smile and have some fun and gives an opportunity for the kids to walk downtown and have a couple of bucks in their pocket and come have some fun and get a treat and literally just giggle and laugh and have some levity - which I think is long overdue for us at this point,” she said.

Froehlich also said she hopes it fills a niche in the downtown for those who are looking to buy flowers and chocolates for someone special. The shop is filled with glass flowers that never wilt by artist Toni Chirico of 8 Petals Design, Customers can add some fun candy to it and put everything in a basket, which is colorful, bright and shiny, that’s sold there for a gift that will “last years on your desk,” Froehlich said.

All items are made by women artists, and biographies of each artist are posted throughout the store.

Candy-wise, the shop sells nostalgic candies, classic chocolates, truffles and fudge. Fine chocolates are from Abdallah Candies, a five generation, handmade candy producer.

There’s also hand dipped ice cream, which Froehlich said represents the “best of the best” in terms of flavors. Ice cream comes from five dairies: Hudsonville, Sherman’s, Country Diary, Michigan Fresh and Brown Dog.

“When we started tasting ice creams, some really stood out, so that’s what we did – we brought in the best of the best,” Froehlich said.

Sweet On Elm is located at 15 North Elm Street and is open from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sunday and Monday and noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.