Got a Lil’ Craving? That’s the catch phrase on the front door to Gravenhurst’s newest store, Cottage Cravings.

Located at 154 Muskoka Road South in the heart of the downtown core, Cottage Cravings opened its doors at the end of May.

Owners Henny and Randy Brown have introduced a variety of gourmet delicacies to please your taste buds. The foundation of the store is built around their own homemade creamy fudge. It does not take long before you reach the delicious selection of chocolates.

A few feet later and you are dazzled by 28 choices of ice cream. Cones, floats, shakes and sundaes are readily prepared. Their frozen yogurt starts with a chocolate or vanilla base and six choices of added fruit. By mixing fruit combinations the possibilities seem endless.

It was a few short months ago that Henny and Randy took on the challenge of renovating their 100-year-old-plus building. Henny states, “We had a vision, got dirty ourselves and had some wonderful local contractors help us create a beautiful store. We’re quite happy with how it turned out.”

The updated facade stands out on the street. The curious watched as the scaffolding went up and who could resist looking through the windows as the renovations progressed?

The interior is warm, inviting and sleek, a look that Henny coined as Urban Country. Soft hues of green, antique white and rich wooden cupboards, high ceilings and modern lighting.

The front half of the store is the retail section, the back half for production. This is where fudge, chocolates, baked items and other goodies are prepared.

The Browns’ 12 years experience as chocolatiers is clearly evident in their products.

Randy notes that they don’t make everything. “Why reinvent the wheel? We’ve met some amazing chefs and have bought their expertise into our store,” he says.

To that end, Cottage Cravings offers coffees, teas, cookies, stuffed olives and more including Manitoulin Island products. Chutneys, dips, garlic oils, hot sauces, regular and sugar-free jams are on the shelves and a healthy variety are available for sampling.

Cottage Cravings offers more than gourmet foods. They have an assortment of gift ware ranging from platters and serving sets to cards and gift baskets that are created on-site to your specifications.

Henny and Randy also cater to those who want no sugar added products. They have fudge, chocolates, ice cream, candies, hot chocolates and baked goods for those sugar-free cravings.

Cottage Cravings had their grand opening in June and have already hosted a Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce event. The latter included some frozen concoctions that aren’t available regularly but provide inspiration for our own summer parties.

Downtown Gravenhurst has been rebranded as “Uptown” by the BIA and there are several new and exciting stores like Cottage Cravings. Now is a good time to rediscover what Gravenhurst has to offer.