There is a newcomer on Caroline Street called Kilwins that features ice cream and chocolates. The sweet treats are not new to this area, but what is new is the presence of a chain brand store in an area that caters to the mom-and-pop venues.
Kilwins also has a store in Rehoboth Beach, which Fredericksburg resident Maureen Widick recognized because she had visited it the last time she was in Rehoboth. “We love Kilwins at the beach,” she said, but she is worried about the presence of a chain brand. She walks along Caroline Street just about every day and doesn’t want to lose that slight store familiarity, but at the same time realizes the rents charged here may not be affordable to small businesses. She even spoke with someone in the city hall about this.
There is a Courtyard Marriott on Caroline as well, which is a national brand, but others passing by didn’t seem too concerned about Kilwins, whether it’s a chain store or not. “Sure, why not?” said one twenty-something man.
City spokeswoman Caitlyn McGhee recognizes that Kilwins is a nationally recognized franchise with approximately 190 stores across the country, but it fits in with Fredericksburg’s expanding retail diversity. “We look forward to welcoming Kilwins to Fredericksburg’s Historic Downtown, where it will serve as a distinguished addition to our already dynamic and vibrant Main Street District,” she said.
For the food fanatic, the chocolate and ice cream that Kilwins serves adds to the cuisine on Caroline Street. There are several places that fall in the “coffee shop” category, a couple of delis, Italian, Japanese steak houses, tacos, and pizza. A popcorn shop to round out the variety. Abner’s Ice Cream, a few doors down used to be the spot for ice cream cones, but now it has some competition.
Don and Katy Kilwin started this eatery in 1947, but on their website, it doesn’t actually say where in the United States they opened their first eatery. They recently opened Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen retail store in Petoskey, Mich., where customers can watch the process firsthand through a glass window overlooking the kitchen.
In addition to chocolate, fudge, and ice cream, they have what they claim is “The Perfect Carmel Apple,” that’s been a customer favorite for over 70 years, they say. This apple starts with a fresh & crisp Granny Smith apple, hand-dipped in made-in-store caramel, which is a three-hour process involving a traditional copper kettle. There are eight varieties of this apple to choose from.
On Kilwin’s social media, there is a couple named “Sage” and “Aditya” who owe their relationship beginnings to Kilwins. They’ve been high school sweethearts since 2018 and ended up getting engaged at the shop. “Kilwins has been such a big part of our relationship that we took our engagement photos there,” it states on their picture spread.
