Fuddy Duddy’s Confectionary to use state grant to renovate historic Owego buildings

OWEGO, N.Y. — Tioga County was awarded $1.8 million in Restore NY funding for the rehabilitation of two buildings, located at 178-180 Front St. in Owego, which are the future home of Fuddy Duddy’s Confectionary.

Stephen and Kimberly Cruty own Fuddy Duddy’s, currently located on Lake Street. They recently purchased the Front Street properties to expand the business. They plan to use the grant funding to transform the buildings into new retail, production, and office space along with a loft-apartment suite on the third floor.

“We are thrilled to receive this Restore NY grant award,” Stephen Cruty said in a release. “These buildings have played an essential role in Owego’s retail community since 1850. With this support, we will create an immersive destination in the village that will take our guests back to a simpler and sweeter time. With the help of TEAM Tioga, we were able to secure this funding so that we could realize our vision while remaining in downtown Owego.”

The owners plan to expand the bakery and confectionary offerings, return coffee and espresso service with in-house roasting capability, add on an old-fashioned nut roastery and popcorn popper, reconstruct the riverside deck with waterfront seating, and develop an adjoining park to include a European-style Christmas market during the holiday season. Work will begin sometime this year.

“We are very pleased that the Restore NY funding will be used to rehabilitate two important historic structures in the village of Owego for the expansion of a small, local business,” LeeAnn Tinney, director of Tioga County Economic Development and Planning said.

Johnson-Schmidt & Associates of Corning, which specializes in historic preservation, rehabilitations, adaptive reuse, and historic-property renovation, is the architecture firm on the project.