BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. — Two beloved sweets shops are back open for the first time since Hurricane Helene tore across Tampa Bay.
The Fudge Factory shops in Bradenton Beach and Siesta Key were both devastated by the recent hurricanes. Owner Benjamin Kaminecki said the last two months of repairing and renovating his businesses have been the most challenging time of his life.
"When you've built something so hard, work so many hours a day, and all that goes away in one day, it's devastating," Kaminecki said. "Everything was all over the floor. It probably took us two weeks just to get rid of the smell."
In the weeks that followed the hurricanes, Kaminecki said he and his workers were at the shops daily, putting in long hours to get them back up and running. He estimated it cost him roughly $500,000 to rebuild both locations.
Despite that uphill climb, Kaminecki said he never considered walking away from the small, family-owned and operated business.
"It's emotional. This is not a franchise. We're family-owned and operated. All the workers feel like family," he said.
The work of creating his sweet treats is also his passion.
"It's all made by hand, everything you see here, nothing by machine," explained Kaminecki, showing off an array of chocolate-dipped treats like bacon and Twinkies.
On Thanksgiving Day, the doors to his two shops reopened, just in time for them to begin hand-made candy cane demonstrations.
It was also just in time for the Williams kids to stop by on their annual visit from Cincinnati, Ohio.
"Ever since the first day we came here, all of us have grown attached to it. It has been fun coming here," said Max Williams
"I love the smell here. It's awesome. We come here every year," said Sam Williams
Keith and Susan Adams of Parrish were also excited to be among the first customers since the business reopened.
"Finally, they're getting to their new normal and they're open again, and it's great coming down and seeing them and a lot of other places get back," Keith said.
Kaminecki said after his long road to recovery, the best way you can support them is by getting out and enjoying their sweet treats.
