A sweet partnership

By Kristin Ely

Topsail Trading Co. is a popular store in Topsail Island, North Carolina. While it sells many unique gifts and souvenirs it is most well known for its homemade fudge, which generations of vacationers have enjoyed.

The store’s fudge fame would not be possible without its partner, Calico Cottage. The company has been providing retail operations with sweet treats and ingredients since the 1950s and has a rich history, pun intended. Calico Cottage and Topsail Island Trading Co. have a relationship that goes back well before John and Claire Noto got involved in the 2000s.

The previous owner started the relationship with the New York-based candy company in the 1980s.

“We hold them in high regard, and they do the same for us. We have a great relationship with everybody there,” says John.

When Calico Cottage is trying to sign on new customers and they are within a few hours of Topsail Island Trading Co, Calico will send them to the store where they can see the fudge operation and talk with John.

“We work their program the way they developed it and we’ve stuck to it,” explains John.

The fudge aspect of the Noto’s business has been so successful that they joke, the fudge alone could put all their kids through college.

“It is a great program, and it is the backbone of our store,” says John.