TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) — A small family-owned candy and dirty soda shop in Tifton is hoping community support can help keep its doors open.

Tifton Sweet Stop, located at 362 Main St. S, is facing the possibility of permanently closing if business does not improve soon. According to April Walsh, whose family owns the business, July 27 is the store’s tentative closing date.

The shop started with a simple passion for freeze-dried candy. Walsh said her family first began selling freeze-dried candy in hospitals, especially to night shift nurses looking for something fun and different during long shifts.

That small idea later turned into a dream of opening a family-owned store in Tifton.

The business offers dirty sodas, freeze-dried candy, ice cream, international candy, snacks, and a family-friendly place for children, students, families, and adults to enjoy.

Walsh said the store was founded by two nurses, a veteran, and a local family who wanted to invest back into the community and bring something unique to Tifton.

The family had plans to expand the shop by adding bulk candy by the pound, seating for families, and candy buffets for birthday parties, events, and celebrations.

For the first eight months, Walsh said business was doing well, but over time, foot traffic slowed, costs continued to rise, and placing inventory orders became more difficult.

The family tried adjusting hours, adding new items, and making changes to keep the business going, but Walsh said they are now struggling to cover general bills.

She believes one of the biggest challenges is the store’s location at the end of Main Street, where many people still do not realize the shop is there.

“This has been heartbreaking because this store was never just about candy to us,” Walsh said. “It was about creating something happy, local, and different for our community.”

Walsh said she hopes sharing the store’s story will help more people learn about Tifton Sweet Stop before it is too late.

Below is a statement from the Downtown Tifton Main Street Program:

“It’s always heartbreaking to lose a local business downtown, and we want to recognize all of the effort it takes to own and operate a small business during today’s economic climate. Our role is to support and promote downtown through marketing, special events, advertising, business features, and collaborative campaigns that encourage people to shop with our local businesses. Most recently, our collaborative initiative with Think Tifton is the Sweet Summertime Passport that was developed to drive customers into local businesses when summertime might be a slower time of year for them or to introduce people to destinations they may have never visited before. We work hard to bring people downtown and create opportunities and foot traffic for businesses to connect with customers.

Downtown Tifton provides a unique, nostalgic, welcoming, and walkable small business environment with a steady stream of tourism. Main Street establishes a sense of place for visitors and residents alike. While every business faces its own unique circumstances, we remain committed to providing resources, exposure, and initiatives that foster a vibrant and successful downtown.  Supporting local and supporting small businesses is crucial every day, but especially right now, so we would like to challenge each of you to visit a place you’ve never been in downtown Tifton this summer to help keep the doors of our local businesses open.

The Main Street Program is currently led by Abbey McLaren, Main Street Manager, and is available as a resource to each merchant in Downtown Tifton. The Main Street Office can be contacted by calling 229-391-3965 and can be found in City Hall, 130 1^st St E.”

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