Oh, fudge! Murdick's Fudge starts celebration of 40 years on Martha's Vineyard

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, Mass. - Nov. 15, 2017 - PRLog -- Some families have a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. Murdick's Fudge General Manager Mike McCourt has a similar outlook on celebrating landmark anniversaries. That's why Murdick's Fudge is starting the celebration of its 40th year on Martha's Vineyard, 1978, by ending 2017 with several noteworthy new products, anniversary discounts and events at its three Martha's Vineyard locations and through its e-commerce website, www.murdicks.com.

"This really is a double celebration as I came here 25 years ago from Michigan in 1993," adds McCourt, an Edgartown resident.

Murdick's Fudge's kickoff flavor for the 40th celebration is a peppermint fudge. This holiday treat is made the same way as Sarah Murdick did way back in 1887—all-natural ingredients, cooled on a marble table and then cut in half-pound slices.

Additionally, Murdick's Fudge will offer a 15 percent discount on all product ordered prior to November 30. That includes the peppermint holiday fudge, Murdick's traditional flavors—Plain Vanilla, Butter Pecan, Penuche, Chocolate Mint Chip, Smores, Plain Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Walnut, Peanut Butter, Cape Cod Cranberry and Rocky Road—and its popcorn and brittle offerings.

Murdick's Fudge story began in 1887 on another island, Mackinac Island in Lake Huron in Michigan. A father-son sail-making team, Henry Murdick and his son Rome, were commissioned to build an awning for the new Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. While the two men took to building the awning, Henry's wife and Rome's mother Sarah Murdick was looking for something to do. Long known in her family for her confectionary recipes, she decided to sell her goods and opened up Murdick's Candy Kitchen (her husband and son's workshop was in the back).

As Mackinac Island grew as a tourist destination over the decades, so did Murdick's Candy Kitchen. The island itself It also became a haven for other fudge makers. In fact, many contend that Mackinac Island, covering a mere 3.8 square miles, is the fudge capital of North America with as many as 13 fudge stores on the island in Lake Huron.

In 1969, Bob Benser, Sr., a dear family friend of the Murdick's, bought Murdick's Candy Kitchen. After a visit to Martha's Vineyard in the 1970s, Benser decided to open a shop on the island. Murdick's Fudge officially set up shop in 1978, with Mike McCourt taking over the leadership as GM in 1993.

"I'm not sure what it is about islands and fudge shops, but it seems to be a marriage made in confectionary heaven," said McCourt. "For people who visit the island, it's almost a required part of their stay. Thankfully during my tenure as owner, the Internet came along and we were able to expand the business beyond our three locations on the Island."

"The Internet is kind of an obvious thing that's changed over my 25 years here and the store's 40," said McCourt. "I think what's been most gratifying, besides being able to get Murdicks' Fudge to more people is how we have been able to impact the community through our charitable endeavors and sponsor programs," said McCourt.

Murdick's Fudge sponsors the annual Run the Chop 5-Mile Road Race Challenge to sponsor the Martha's Vineyard Boys & Girls Clubs. This event has raised more than $100,000 for the Club over the last 15 years. Murdick's has also been involved in an exchange student program where students from all over the world have come to the island to work in the stores and cafe.

"Like any other business, it's about relationships. In our time here, we've been able to foster long-lasting, truly lifetime relationships," said McCourt, who will also serve as the president of the Martha's Vineyard Rotary Club in 2018.

A number of those relationships started at the annual Christmas in Edgartown event. Murdick's Fudge hosts an open house with free samples of fudge, brittle, popcorn and its secret recipe Murdick's Hot Chocolate. Murdick's Fudge in Edgartown is located at 21 North Water Street. Murdick's Fudge has two other locations on Martha's Vineyard: Oak Bluffs at 5 Circuit Avenue; and Vineyard Haven at the corner of Union Street and Main Street.  Additionally, Murdick's Café is located in the same building as Murdick's Fudge in Edgartown.

For more information Murdick's Fudge and to place an order, visit http://www.murdicks.com or you can phone 888-55FUDGE (888-553-2343).