Fudgetown, USA (2024)

a day ago

Mackinac Island in Michigan pioneered the pairing of tourism and fudge, shaping it into a nationwide attraction with many fudge shops.
Henry Murdick's Candy Kitchen introduced fudge-making as a public spectacle in the early 1900s, using theatrical displays and scents to draw crowds.
Fudge evolved from a rebellious treat in women's colleges to a wholesome, middle-class candy associated with vacations and nostalgia.
After World War II, fudge's popularity surged on Mackinac Island, leading to competing shops and its spread to other tourist towns across North America.
Locals in tourist areas often refer to tourists as 'fudgies', a term marking the divide between visitors and residents in seasonal economies.
While fudge defines Mackinac Island for tourists, locals experience a deeper natural beauty and logistical challenges, like horse-based infrastructure and compost systems.
Fudge remains a symbol of fleeting vacation experiences, tied to specific places and memories rather than being a daily indulgence.

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