Exploring Life & Business with Caitlin Nickel of The Sweet Shop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Nickel

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started at The Sweet Shop in high school, probably around 2016-17. From there I worked after school and on weekends as much as I could. Once I graduated high school, I moved away to college downstate but would work on my breaks. When COVID hit and we were all sent home, I worked a more full-time, and as a manager under Janeen Russell while still finishing up college. She taught me everything I know about The Sweet Shop, while Mr. B taught me a lot about the history of the business. I graduated college in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I worked full-time as a manager for about 2 years. The last year, 2023-24, I did all the interviews and social media work, slowly becoming the face of The Sweet Shop. At this time, Janeen and I were discussing the transition of ownership. I was also taking the Cadillac Chamber Leadership class to get to know the community that I would be serving in a little bit better while also building a network of business-minded people around me. In June of 2024, Janeen and I signed the papers for me to take over ownership of the store. It was a long journey, but a rewarding one. I am happy to be the fourth owner of The Sweet Shop and get to serve the Cadillac community that knows and loves the store so much.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road is rarely ever smooth. I had my own ups and downs while getting to the place of owner. Some of which were trying to decide if I wanted to become a business owner at 24 years old and if I was ready for the weight that title carried. If I wanted to take on a business with over 60 years of history, clients, and craft. But through prayer and familial support, I was able to decide for myself that this is where I want to be. I had no intention when I graduated high school to ever return to Cadillac, MI. But sometimes, there’s a reason for things.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Sweet Shop was founded in 1961 by Grace McKellop. She started it as the KarmelKorn Shop and sold mostly popcorn of all kinds. Within a year, she added The Snowbird, which is our signature candy that many travel to Cadillac for to this day. Mr. B and his wife Helen purchased the store in 1983 and brought in their own flair. The Sweet Shop under their leadership was in over 3oo gas stations and rest stops across the state and brought in new creations such as “The Sin” caramel apple. Janeen Russell purchased the store from her parents in 2002 and moved it across the street. She is the woman who made the caramel apples what they are today. People from across the state and even into other states make the drive just for one of our Honeycrisp Caramel Apples in the month of October. In February, we are known for our wonderful chocolate strawberries. They are a special gift for anyone for Valentine’s Day.
We specialize in specialty chocolate and confections. We use the same recipes that were used back in 1961 for many of our candies today. We ship these confections, especially the Snowbirds, worldwide through our website and in-store. our specialty Honeycrisp Caramel Apples are the other big draw that we have. They are hand-dipped in caramel daily and grown by a local farmer.
We are a family-based business in Downtown Cadillac dedicated to keeping the recipes and quality the same as when the store first opened, and that is what many of our customers appreciate. We use high-quality ingredients and do everything by hand.

What were you like growing up?
As a kid, I always wanted to own a restaurant. I was always in the kitchen helping my grandma bake cookies, or my mom make dinner. Food was always something that I enjoyed. I was happy when I made something and someone else got enjoyment out of it. We would often watch Cupcake Wars after dinner and that really helped my creativity with food.
I was a business-minded kid. My brothers and I had a Lego world in the basement in which there was a currency, mayor, and traffic rules. We all took turns on being the mayor, but being the banker was my favorite.
My parents were a key factor in my becoming a business owner. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. They were very supportive of me cultivating my business skills. I spent a lot of late nights discussing business ideas, forms, and similar things with my dad.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cadillacsweetshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesweetshopcadillacmi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetShop4u