Yooper Sweets: How Brooke Stine Brought A Taste of Joy to Iron River

IRON COUNTY – When you walk down Genesee Street in Iron River, it’s hard to miss the cute new candy store in town, Yooper Sweets!

Brooke Stine transformed a long-vacant building near the Klint Safford Memorial RV Park into a fun sweet shop, bringing smiles and nostalgia to her town. Brooke carries over 50 varieties of Swedish and classic gummy candies, fresh lemonade, dirty popcorn, vintage sodas, and iconic Sayklly’s candy produced in the Upper Peninsula.

Brooke’s idea for Yooper Sweets was inspired by candy videos she saw on TikTok and her desire to build something of her own. Launching the business was about more than selling treats. “Opening this store helped me overcome personal struggles. I feel happier and more positive every day since opening our doors.”

Iron River has welcomed Brooke’s new candy store with open arms. Neighboring local businesses have sent Brooke gift baskets and flowers to congratulate her new venture, and neighborhood kids and visitors alike line up to get a taste. Brooke likes to say that her shop is “Where every treat is a northern delight.”

From the beginning of her idea, Brooke relied on her community to make Yooper Sweets a reality. Her family referred her to Daniel Yoder at the Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC) for business planning, setup, funding, and licensing guidance.

With help from the Michigan SBDC, Brooke was able to win grant awards to include with her own investment, including the Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance’s Fast Track grant and MTEC SmartZone Small Business Support Hub Program. Brooke used these resources to expand the inventory selection, buy equipment, and install custom shelving. 

She also credits local partners like Zach at the Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance, Rachel at the City of Iron River, CoVantage Credit Union, Kristi at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and her supportive family for helping her bring the shop to life.

Now with her shop open, Brooke is already looking to what’s next for Yooper Sweets. She plans to take her sweets on the road to serve local and regional fairs and events. She’s also working on adding freeze-dried candies, seasonal baskets, and e-commerce capabilities to her shop.

Brooke has advice for entrepreneurs, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help! People are ready to help you turn your idea into a reality. And you get back what you give. If you give love, you will get love in return.”

Congratulations to Brooke for turning an empty building into a fun community business! Learn more and celebrate Yooper Sweets with Brooke on Facebook.