Hoping to capitalize on tourism centered on the newly constructed Grand Hotel, sail-maker and boat-builder Henry Murdick and his family opened Murdick’s Candy Store in 1889. As Henry Murdick focused on his nautical business, he left running the candy store to his son Rome, who made the first commercial fudge on the island. By publicly making this sweet treat on a marble slab, Rome gave his product a unique flavor and entertained his customers. As this proved to be a popular combination, fudge shops on the island continue to replicate Murdick’s methods when creating this iconic treat. According to Pure Michigan, over 10,000 pounds of fudge are sold per day during peak tourist season!
