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DOWAGIAC, Mich. — A family-run business lasting more than a century is increasingly rare, especially when it’s a candy shop and soda fountain.
In downtown Dowagiac, Mich., Caruso’s Candy and Soda Fountain has done just that, serving generations of customers while preserving tradition.
Caruso’s has become a staple of the community, with its nostalgic atmosphere and long-standing history drawing in visitors.
“So many people will come in and just be amazed at how we’re still so nostalgic and kept it alive all these years,” said owner Julie Johnson. “I think we are one of the oldest in Michigan that is still in operation.”
Julie Johnson, the current owner, is carrying on the Caruso family legacy in its third generation of ownership. Her grandparents, Antonio and Emilia Caruso, first opened the shop in September, 1922.
Antonio and Emilia Caruso first opened Caruso’s in 1922. The family-business is now in its third generation of ownership, carried on by their granddaughter, Julie Johnson. (Courtesy: Caruso’s/WWMT)
Now, nearly 104 years later, their candy recipes and process remains largely unchanged. Every chocolate, caramel, and toffee is made, cut, and dipped by hand.
It’s a craft Johnson first learned working alongside her grandfather in the shop as a teenager.
“A lot of people don’t think that I probably was old enough to actually have known my grandfather, but I did,” Johnson said. “And I did learn some of the candy making as a kid from him.”
Julie Johnson shows the process of making Caruso’s caramels, which are cut by hand once allowed to cool on their marble slab. She first learned the technique from her grandfather, who first opened the shop in 1922. (WWMT)
Manager Caitlin Harlow helped explain some of the steps that go into making their chocolate dipped caramels, one of their most popular offerings.
“We temper our chocolate using a method called tabling,” Harlow said. “I’m bringing the chocolate down to a temperature that it can actually be used to make candy.”
A large marble table is key to this cooling process. It’s the same one they’ve used as long as Johnson can remember.
While many of their chocolates, toffees, and caramels are crafted from recipes passed down through generations, Harlow has also helped develop some more on-trend creations like the viral Dubai chocolate. At Caruso’s, their Dubai chocolates are made in-house and offered in a variety of sizes.
“We literally get to make candy for a living. It doesn’t get any better than that,” Harlow said. “You get to just have fun and make fun things. And when you get really stressed out there’s candy right there you can eat.”
Beyond the candy counter, the soda fountain offers another step back in time. Hand-dipped ice cream, shakes, and malts remain customer favorites.
You could say Caruso’s signature menu item is their “Pig’s Dinner,” four large scoops of ice cream, topped with a banana and all the fixings. Those who finish it receive a commemorative pin.
Caruso’s serves up its legendary “Pig’s Dinner”, four generous scoops of ice cream piled into a mini trough, topped with a whole banana, whipped cream, and nuts. Finish the entire indulgent treat, and you’ll earn a souvenir button to prove it. (WWMT)
Caruso’s offers a lunch menu as well, with their tuna melt sandwich a fan favorite.
While a shake or sandwich won’t cost 10 cents anymore, it’s the sense of nostalgia that keeps both longtime and new customers coming back.
“A lot of our customers are on their fifth generation also of coming into the store. So kind of neat to see all those families that still have kept this near and dear to their heart,” Johnson said.
One of those customers, Gloria Staten, says she’s been a regular at Caruso’s for over 50 years.
“My children started coming here when they were toddlers. They’re all grown up. The youngest one’s in his early 50s,” Staten said. “My grandchildren love this place. They live around the country, but when they come home to Dowagiac, they always make a point of coming here.”
Caruso’s Candy & Soda Fountain is located in downtown Dowagiac, Michigan, at 130 S Front Street. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, closing at 3 p.m. Monday and Saturday. (WWMT)
Johnson says this connection to the community and upholding her grandparent’s legacy is what keeps her going.
“It’s very important to me to still keep this alive in the tradition of the handmade chocolates that my grandparents did all those years,” Johnson said. “Our customers are like family to us too. So it’s awesome to see what support we get from the community.”
Johnson said there are some great upcoming opportunities to visit the shops and restaurants of downtown Dowagiac. The upcoming Memorial Day parade is a crowd favorite, and the town’s “Music in the Park” series kicks off on June 11 and runs every Thursday through Aug. 20, 2026.
More than 100 years after opening, Caruso’s Candy and Soda Shop continues to keep tradition alive. One box of chocolate at a time.
Caruso’s Candy & Soda Fountain is located in downtown Dowagiac at 130 S. Front Street. The shop is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and until 3 p.m. on Monday and Saturday.
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