Cuisine is one of the most essential parts of a culture; and here in the U.S., it's what distinguishes and defines each of the 50 different and diverse states that form our country. In many states, even a particular food or dish signifies the state itself (word enthusiasts know this as synecdoche). In Maine, there's the lobster roll. Kentucky? Bourbon! Texas: barbecue. Wisconsin is cheese. And Michigan? Fudge. In fact, in the Great Lakes State, there's one region, in particular, that's not just the fudge capital of the state; it's the top fudge producer in the country.

Mackinac Island is one of the most charming places in the country, period. Located on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island is a delightful little coastal locale that enjoys a laid-back, old-fashioned way of life. In this no-car city, you'll find residents and visitors walking, biking, and even enjoying horse-drawn carriage rides around town, making for an incredibly endearing experience and a welcome reprieve from the rest of the world. Vehicles aside, Mackinac Island is perhaps best-known for its amazing fudge -- the island has 14 fudge shops that collectively make more than 10,000 pounds of fudge per day during the peak season. Within this Willy Wonka wonderland, May's Candy Shop is a fourth-generation, family-run confectioner that's not only the town's oldest it's also the best and most beloved business in Michigan.

Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our 2022 Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Massachusetts to Southern California.

Editors Note: May's Candy Shop is temporarily closed for the winter but will reopen in spring 2023. 

Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island is an idyllic little locale of just over 1,000 full-time residents in its four square miles. But don't let its diminutive size fool you; this island has a larger-than-life reputation as one of the most charming small towns in the country.

Each summer, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to this immaculate isle for a taste of small-town, no-car life... and fudge.

You see, Mackinac Island is the Fudge Capital of the World, a title for which the town holds a great deal of pride and reverence. There are just over a dozen fudge shops on Mackinac Island, but there's only one that lays claim to being the oldest and original fudge shop on this Michigan island: May's Candy Shop.

May's Candy Shop is a family business that William May, a second-generation candy maker, started in 1881 in Atchison, Kansas. The business moved up to Mackinac Island, Michigan, in the 1930s, and is still owned and operated by the May family.

Four generations later, May’s continues to do its founder proud; today, siblings Heather and Marvinlee May run the businesses. Explains Heather May, "May's stands out from others in our industry because we provide fine candies that have been hand-crafted and refined by decades of candy making experience."

It's this craft, honed and refined over years of practice and patience, that makes May's so special. Says Heather, "We take pride in our ability to provide delicious chocolates and fudge to our customers, and continuously experiment with flavors to give customers a new and original taste of fudge and candy that we have all grown to love on Mackinac Island."

This craft is something that's been quite literally passed with love from generation to generation: the recipes, techniques, and processes are all true to William's original vision.

"I attribute a lot of my success to my dad, Marvin May because he taught me not only how to run a business and how to make candy, but also how to fine-tune my work and pay attention to the small details that make our products unique and delicious!" Heather explains.

And it's this delicious variety that keeps folks coming back generation after generation. Walk into the shop and you'll find everything from chocolate and peanut butter fudge to unique combinations such as maple nut, blue raspberry, and cherry (which uses real Michigan cherries!).

You can view a full menu of offerings -- and place an online order -- at the May's website.

If you need help deciding which fudge to choose, go with one of Heather's personal favorites: English toffee. "We make every part of our toffee from start to finish, from cooking the buttery toffee bar to roasting our almonds to hand dipping each bar in milk chocolate and freshly ground almonds," she says.

When you create with love, it shows -- not only in the product but in the entire experience. May's Candy Shop is a warm and welcoming place that's truly one of the sweetest small businesses in this enchanting Michigan town.

Adds Heather: "We make every product we sell, and we are always happy to share our family history on Mackinac Island with our customers!"

The next time you're in Mackinac Island, do yourself a favor, and

stop in to support one of Michigan's most beloved and longstanding family-run businesses.

Many thanks to Heather May for sharing the story and mission of her family's beloved small business in Michigan. Learn more about May's Candy Shop at its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages, and visit the sweet shop at 7351 Main St, Mackinac Island, MI, 49757.

Of course, May's is just one of the many long-standing establishments that are part of the vibrant small business community in Michigan; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Michigan article. And be sure to follow Only In Michigan on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the Great Lakes State's most incredible places, attractions, and events.