New generation takes over at Little Switzerland Inn, Sadie’s Sweet Shop
A new generation has taken over operations at Little Switzerland Inn and Sadie’s Sweet Shop in McGregor. Jenny Stollenwerk (front, left) and Casey Johnson are carrying on the legacy built by their late mother, Becky Johnson, who ran the business with husband Randy for 20 years. They are pictured with Jenny’s husband, Jason Stollenwerk, who will serve as general manager, as well as Casey’s daughter, Cheyenne Ruff. (Submitted photo)
By Audrey Posten
A new generation has taken over operations at Little Switzerland Inn and Sadie’s Sweet Shop in McGregor. Daughters Jenny Stollenwerk and Casey Johnson—and their families—are carrying on the legacy built by their late mother, Becky Johnson, who ran the business with husband Randy for 20 years.
“It was her project and her business that she loved. She was here for so long, and so many people know her and love her. It’s a privilege to keep it going and to serve her customers,” said Jenny, sitting just feet away from a memorial display honoring Becky inside Sadie’s Sweet Shop.
Jenny’s husband, Jason Stollenwerk, will serve as general manager of the business, located at 126 Main St.
“Becky and Randy did so much over the last 20 years, and we’re just trying to build off what they did,” he added.
Since taking over operations around the time of Becky’s passing in February, the family has updated the suites in the Little Switzerland Inn, a historic inn complemented by a rustic log cabin, which was built in 1860 and originally housed the North Iowa Times newspaper.
Jenny described it as freshening up, while keeping the original charm.
“The antiques and all of that has stayed; it’s just presented in a new way. We’re preserving the essence of the building and all the things my mom has collected over the years, and we’re proudly displaying all those things,” she explained. “We’re excited for a new generation of guests to come and experience it.”
With assistance from a business enhancement grant through the city of McGregor, the business also underwent some electrical and kitchen upgrades. Jason said more updates are in the works, including exterior painting and repairs.
“I’m also going to try to make kitchenettes in every suite so people can make their own food. You can already do that upstairs in the apartment, but I want to make it in all four of them,” he stated. “Making it affordable, but still having the amenities of a full house or an apartment.”
Visitors can now book on vacation rental sites Airbnb or VRBO, or through the newly re-designed website at https://littleswitzerlandinn.com.
“Before, you had to call or email to get a room,” quipped Jason.
Little Switzerland Inn will no longer provide breakfast, but the Stollenwerks hope customers will take advantage of nearby eateries.
Or they could save their appetites for the in-house ice cream and sweet shop, Sadie’s Sweet Shop. Offerings include ice cream, milkshakes, root beer floats and homemade ice cream sandwiches, along with taffy and other candies. Nitro coffee and tea—hot and cold—and other beverages are available too.
New this year, Sadie’s Sweet Shop is partnering with Fine Flour Baked Goods and owner Jadelyn Keeling, who will bake cookies, cakes, muffins and more in the Sadie’s kitchen. Select items will be for sale in the store and she will also take custom orders for baked goods. Customers can meet her in the shop or contact her directly at (563) 568-7790.
Keeling is a family friend of the Stollenwerks and was previously baking out of her home under the Iowa cottage laws.
“It was to the point where her mom wanted her kitchen back, and she knew we had this commercial kitchen. It works out well that she can use it. We can buy stuff from her and she can sell her custom stuff out of here. Then, if we need some help with coverage for the store, she can help us with that, too,” Jason said.
Sadie’s Sweet Shop previously offered baked goods, but Jenny said they are excited to do more.
“It’s being very well received,” she noted.
By expanding offerings, Sadie’s Sweet Shop hopes to become more than a summertime, seasonal business.
“I’m hoping it enhances our foot traffic,” said Jason. “I think people just have in their mind that it’s only an ice cream shop. And we won’t change that—that’s a big thing. But by adding more things, hopefully we’ll still have people coming in the door so it’s not quiet in here in the winter. The main goal is to create a year-round business for the shop. The inn is already a year-round business.”
Another desire is to attract more locals, according to Jenny.
“Of course, we’re going to serve tourists that come, but we really do want to be a place where our neighbors and families that live here can come and get treats and have an ice cream cone,” she shared.
Sadie’s Sweet Shop has expanded daily hours to better accommodate that, including staying open until 8 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday.
“We know there’s a lot of people that come in off the river later and, after dinner, families want to come out for a dessert and go for a walk. We would love to be a destination for that,” Jenny said.
Like Becky greeted her customers, it will be members of her family who people will see when they visit. Jason and Jenny, along with Casey’s daughters, will be behind the counter. Maybe even the Stollenwerk kids, too.
“It will be a rotation of all of us,” Jason said. “It’s definitely a family affair for operations, with the exception of our baker when she helps.”
They’re all excited to build upon the foundation Becky started.
“It has definitely kept the family busy in a time of grief. Maybe that was her plan. I don’t know,” said Jenny. “There’s so much to do, and there is a lot more we are in the process of ordering and having for sale.”
Follow updates on the “Sadie’s Sweet Shop” Facebook and Instagram.
