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Local Couple Opens Kilwins' Store Today, Bringing Handmade Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream to Downtown Columbia

Issue #835

October 12, 2026

In partnership with

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Monday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 86, low of 53

🎉 Local Couple Opens Kilwins’ Store Today, Bringing Handmade Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream to Downtown Columbia

🍽️ One Table, Five New Friends: What’s Up Columbia! Kicks Off Dinner Club on 10/22

🗓 MEGA List of Upcoming Events!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Local Couple Opens Kilwins’ Store Today, Bringing Handmade Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream to Downtown Columbia

Kilwins franchisees Sam and Hayden Cross plan to make Columbia even sweeter as they open their first Kilwins store today. The renowned confectionery and ice cream shop will be located in the heart of downtown at 27 Public Square.

This husband-and-wife team are longtime Columbia residents, and Sam grew up around the Kilwins brand his entire life at his family’s lake house in Charlevoix, Michigan.

“From an early age, I couldn’t get enough of Kilwins ice cream and the nostalgic confectionary experiences that they serve up every day in their stores,” said Sam, who spent his career as a mechanical engineer. “Years later, as we looked for a franchising opportunity, Kilwins proven business model and the passion of their franchisees made it clear that Kilwins was the right brand for us.”    

Their new Kilwins store will be a true family business, with Hayden managing the day-to-day operations, and their kids working alongside them, serving customers.

“We believe in Kilwins brand mission to ‘make more happy,’ and we wanted our kids to be a part of that,” said Hayden. “We’re all proud to be a part of this community, and we want to bring the sweetness of Kilwins to our friends, neighbors and visitors to Columbia’s historic town square.”

As with all Kilwins stores, guests at the Columbia location will experience the magic of Kilwins’ open kitchen, where hand-crafted sweets are made fresh daily. The store will be a destination where customers can experience the nostalgia of an old-fashioned confectionery with a modern twist. From watching fudge being paddled on a traditional marble table to caramel being cooked to perfection in a copper kettle, guests will have the opportunity to witness the artistry behind each sweet creation.

The Columbia store will also feature Kilwins latest treat, the Chocolate-on-the-Inside Waffle Cone. Crafted in-store with the exclusive Chocolate-on-the-Inside Fountain, these waffle cones are lined with warm, velvety Kilwins Heritage Chocolate, offering a uniquely Kilwins experience.

Plans for a grand opening celebration will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, these franchisees are looking forward to treating shoppers to the irresistible smell of Kilwins freshly made waffle cones, the sights of hand-paddled fudge demonstrations, and the tastes of chocolate truffles, fudge slices, ice cream, and other treats.

Kilwins is famous for its assortment of hand-crafted chocolates, creamy, hand-paddled fudge, caramel apples, caramel corn and brittle, chocolate-dipped treats, and premium ice cream, all made with the finest ingredients. With a rich history dating back to 1947, Kilwins has been delighting communities with their irresistible confections for over 75 years.

One Table, Five New Friends: What’s Up Columbia! Kicks Off Dinner Club on 10/22

Looking to make friends in Columbia?

This month we’re launching the What’s Up Columbia! Dinner Club. Six people. One table. A good meal and real conversation.

Here’s how it works: You take a short personality quiz, and we match you with five compatible people. We book the restaurant and let you know where you’re headed the morning of the dinner. After everyone eats, all the tables meet up at a surprise after-party.

Open to everyone over 18: solo diners, couples, people who just moved here and people who have been here for years. 

You just have to show up.

Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 PM Book Your Seat Here

The Best Marketing Angle You’ve Never Tried

Everyone wants a marketing hack that makes growing their business easier.

But according to business guru @MarketingMax (9 figures in attributable revenue delivered to clients), one of the best no-cost marketing hacks is finding the one angle that makes people foam at the mouth wanting what you sell.

Lucky for you @MarketingMax put together a quick 2-page Google Doc breaking down how to find yours in 10 minutes, with 20+ real examples you can steal from.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Monday, October 12th

Tuesday, October 13th

Wednesday, October 14th

Thursday, October 15th

Friday, October 16th

Saturday, October 17th

Sunday, October 18th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, October 13
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6-9 PM

Thursday, October 15
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6-9 PM
Rett Stocstill - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM

Friday, October 16
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Ben Guidry - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
Stevierock - Acapulco Mexican Grill, 6:30-8:30 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Tom & Robert - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Kathy Troccoli - The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Bird and the Bear - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM
Second Chance Bluegrass - Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Brandon Bartley - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, October 17
Ben Daniel - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 2-5 PM
Martin Lane - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Maury County Community Band - Riverwalk Park, 3 PM
Open Mic - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 4-7 PM
Box of Rox - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
Mt Pleasant Music on the Porch Series - Delta Recovery, 6-9 PM
Stevierock Acoustic Duo - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Sarah Morey & Kolton Armstrong - Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM

Sunday, October 18
The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk