09/01/2026
Hi my Shackies!
I need you to grab a cup of tea, or a cup of coffee, and sit down. Pull up a chair next to me. You’re not going to like what I’m about to say.
Hell, I don’t even like what I’m about to say, but sometimes we have to put on our big girl panties and do things we don’t like to do. And this post is one of them.
After a lot of soul-searching, prayer, and long discussions with Greg, and honestly staring at our bank account at the end of each month, we’ve realized that it’s time to make the difficult decision to close the Sugar Shack.
I’ve always been upfront and completely transparent with you guys, and that’s not gonna stop now. This economy is tough. Prices of goods just keep going up, gas and electric keep going up, and even though the sales are steady, it’s becoming harder and harder to break even.
Considering the competition in our area, I believe I’ve held my own pretty damn well, especially with my tiny kitchen, just two wall ovens, and all while working within the restrictions of cottage law that others don’t have. I can proudly say I held my own.
I know this is hard to understand, considering I still sell out every single week. The problem is, I cannot produce the volume I need to produce in my small kitchen by myself in order to turn a profit. The Shack is growing so much that it honestly either needs to expand or it needs to shrink.
Expansion has long been the goal. However, it’s just not possible at this time or in this stage in our life. Financially or physically. I’m wiped out. It takes a lot out of you to run a business like this, and even though I am the Energizer Bunny at times, it takes a toll.
You may see me occasionally pop up here and there and offer items if I decide to turn the oven on, or I may decide to do larger-scale catering operations. I’m not really sure, but what I do know is the weekly storefront operation is coming to a close, and this will be my last week open.
It sucks for many reasons, but mainly because I’ve made so many friends. Years ago, I said I wanted the Shack to feel like Cheers. When you walked in the door, I wanted you to feel like Norm—a place where everybody knows your name—and I hope I accomplished that.
You guys have been so much more than just customers to me. I know your name, your family, your stories, your orders. I know what you like, what you don’t like, and I just love so many of you. The thought of not seeing you and not keeping up with you really breaks my heart.
I guess that’s the real accomplishment in this business. It’s not that I held my own with larger competitors. It’s that this place actually made a difference. As I’m sitting here thinking about all of this, I can see your faces. I can see your smiles coming through the door. You know who you are, and you know I truly love you and appreciate you.
Thank you for supporting me and taking a chance on me. It’s been a fun and wild ride.
Ok, I gotta run. I’ll call ya back later. Love ya, ❤️
