Kilwin's makes a sweet move, serves up tasty treats from new Holland location

Deborah Johnson Wood

After 12 years at 24 E. 8th St. in Holland, the location for Kilwin's just wasn't working anymore. The confectioner was sandwiched between retail shops that closed early, greatly reducing customer traffic during the evening hours. And there wasn't enough room for the coffee shop that owners Darl and Judy Dalman wanted to add for Kilwin's new line of cappuccinos, lattes and hot chocolate.

So they relocated to the corner of E. 8th and College, where JP's Coffee House, The Curragh Irish Pub and New Holland Brewing occupy the opposite corners.

"The coffee shop and restaurants have longer hours that match our hours," says Darl Dalman. "People congregate on that corner later in the evening. It's kind of a magnet spot. I hope that we benefit the other restaurants, too, because we will draw more people down there."

Kilwin's 1,850 square feet provides enough room for a 17-seat coffee shop and space for the kitchens where they make Mackinaw Fudge, Kilwin's chocolates, caramel corn, a variety of nut brittles and other delectable confections.

There's also plenty of space for the freezers where employees serve up 32 flavors of ice cream.

The building dates back to the 1920s, says Dalman. Recent renovations retained the original wood floors and tin ceiling, and added mahogany woodwork throughout.

"It feels like you're in somebody's house with beautiful woodwork," Dalman says. "The fronts of the ice cream cases are surrounded with real wood and the bar that encloses the fudge kitchen is done in wood. We have the light wood floors, caramel-colored walls and a chocolate brown ceiling."

A cozy fireplace and a large screen TV provide places where customers can sit and relax with a coffee or take in a football game.

In front of the building is the city's new outdoor fireplace that's surrounded by built-in, heated seating for four-season enjoyment.

Source: Darl Dalman, Kilwin's; Mimi Fritz, Downtown Holland Prinicipal Shopping District

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].