Confectionary delights abound as Kilwins reopens on St. Armands

By Dana Kampa
| 6:20 a.m. September 30, 2025

Sarasota
Neighbors

Frozen and fruity. Salted and caramelly. Rich and crunchy. Treats of every variety flew off the shelves of Kilwins sweet shop on Sept. 27 at St. Armands Circle as it became the latest local business to celebrate reopening following last year's hurricanes.

The colorful celebration invited families that have patronized the shop for generations to stop in and see the refreshed space.

Kilwins President and CEO Brian Britton, who joined the St. Armands team at the reopening, said he is excited for customers to see the fresh new space.

The Kilwins on St. Armands Circle reopened this weekend following its rebuild from hurricanes Helene and Milton last October.

"This has been a long time coming, and we're excited because this has always been one of the beacons in the community," he said.

Residents had a hint that change was in the air several weeks ago when the storefront swapped out its red awning for a teal one.

Kilwins opened its original location in 1947 and now has more than 160 franchises in 28 states. The St. Armands location opened in 1985, one of the earliest in the company's history.

"So many people from around the country — around the world — know our brand of Kilwins because of this store," he said. "That makes it pretty special."

He joined Kilwin's moose mascot and staff in cutting the blue ribbon before inviting people in to sample ice cream, fudge, truffles and more.

Britton noted with pride that Kilwins produces its own chocolate, sourced from several countries in West Africa.

One of his favorite new treats is the Dubai-inspired bonbon, a chocolate filled with crunchy pistachio ganache that grew wildly popular this season.

Five-year-old patron Everett Becker, who stopped by the shop with his family that day, did like his ice cream cone. But his favorite treat was the bag of chocolate coins they picked up to take home.

When a business has been open in a location for four decades, serving multiple generations of families becomes more common, as noted by Erica Escalera, vice president of company stores. However, she said she never gets tired of hearing people's stories.

She said Kilwins is especially proud to play a part in St. Armands' ongoing recovery from the storms.

"There's just a magic to this store," she said. "We have a great connection with the community, and we're grateful that the community comes out to support us."

Kilwins also has franchise locations in Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch and Venice.

Wess, 8, Samantha, Everette, 5, and Dan Becker try out their favorite flavors of ice cream at the grand reopening of the Kilwins sweet shop on St. Armands Circle on Sept. 27.

Smiles abound at the Kilwins on St. Armands Circle as assistant manager Dino Coit cuts the ribbon to welcome back customers to enjoy fudge, ice cream and other sweet treats.

Dino Coit, assistant manager at the Kilwins treat shop on St. Armands, whips up a batch of cookies and cream fudge in a live demo for customers during the grand reopening on Sept. 27.

Kilwins team member Georgia Nembhard doles out chocolate truffles at the reopening of the St. Armands shop.

Kilwins takes pride in crafting its own in-house chocolates and treats, President and CEO Brian Britton said.

Kilwins President and CEO Brian Britton shows off the new pistachio-flavored, Dubai-inspired chocolate bonbon the St. Armands store featured at its grand reopening on Sept. 27.

Kilwins makes its in-house fudge on temperature-controlled worktables, giving passersby on St. Armands a show.

New customers Vivian and Anna Flewelling stop in for the grand reopening of Kilwins treat shop on St. Armands Circle.

Erica Escalera, vice president of company stores at Kilwins, shares the joy of reopening the St. Armands Circle location with customers on Sept. 27. The store reopened just ahead of the one-year anniversary of hurricanes Helene and Milton.

From seasonal treats to longtime staples, the truffle counter is stocked with every flavor of chocolate.

"Kilwins the Moose" and Kilwins President and CEO Brian Britton welcome visitors of all ages to the St. Armands treat shop.

Though the St. Armands Kilwins treat shop got a facelift during the post-hurricane rebuild, leaders reassure customers it still has the same charm imbued in it 40 years ago.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.