Meet Tony Owens | Owner of The Fudge Factory and The Corner Kitchen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tony Owens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tony, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factors behind The Fudge Factory’s success are the consistency of our product, willingness to adapt to a changing market environment and dedication to our customers and community. Along with attention to detail, we have used time-tested recipes, and Georgia-grown local ingredients for over forty years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My parents started our family business in 1982, selling fudge, brittle, and taffies. Throughout the years, they acquired family held southern confection recipes to add to their offerings. Upon their retirement, I purchased the business in 2007, and continued to grow the business by expanding our product line to include other Georgia-made Georgia-grown products and a shift to more dark chocolate health-conscious items. In 2010, I purchased an offsite property to expand our production and footprint in our downtown area. This project has grown to include a deli that offers catering and grab-and-go breakfast and lunch offerings. In 2020, I partnered with another Dahlonega Native to begin importing coffee from Ant Hill Farms, his family-owned mountainside farm in Atenas, Costa Rica. We have been proud to provide quality products, while investing in our local workforce through work-based learning opportunities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dahlonega is an outdoor lovers’ dream! We are the Southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, so we have hundreds of miles of trails and rivers to explore. We have a thriving wine industry, with seven wineries within 10 miles of our downtown. Additionally, we are home of the First Gold Rush in the United States and have an amazing museum in the center of our downtown square, in addition to Crissons Gold Mine, home of Georgia’s only active stamp mill. My favorite places to grab great food and drinks include: Gold City Growlers, Spirits Tavern, and Bourbon Street Grille

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother, Debby Owens, started The Fudge Factory in 1982 and is the reason for its early success. Her dedication to consistency, customer service and hard work helped to instill in me a terrific work ethic and an understanding of what it takes to be successful. We are also grateful for the openness of the confectionery and candy-making community and their willingness to share ideas and techniques that we continue to use today.

Website: www.dahlonegafudgefactory.com www.cornerkitchendahlonega.com

Instagram: @dahlonegafudgefactory @cornerkitchendahlonega

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