Brews and Bites: Candlewood Farms Coffee and Bakery

candlewood 1 — Candlewood offers fun, welcoming surroundings along with specialty baked goods and excellent coffee.

By Justin Williamson – Brews and Bites

I have previously said here that I love coffee. I am always on the lookout for a good cup, So it’s only natural that I visit a lot of coffee shops. They are often the cute and quirky expressions of the creative and artistic folks in an area. The coffeeshop atmosphere lends itself to being taken a little less seriously in a world where everyone is grinding it out and going all in. So, in my mind, these java fortresses are fighting back against the big evil corporate world and bringing us a place to let down our armor and relax for a few minutes! They are the proverbial zen gardens where we can find ourselves and refit, but I digress.

For us coffee addicts in Columbus County there are now several locations tucked in the corners of our communities. Today I am sharing my experience with Candlewood Farms Coffee and Bakery.
I popped in the shop for the first time while out for a walk up Madison Street last week. I had seen this place, but hadn’t had time to get in and try their offerings. This was the day.
First off, the shop is cute and inviting. The decor is relaxed farmhouse, with an understated country chic vibe. The counter is easy to access and the baked goods are visible and on clear display. There are several couches and tables around the space. Games are around if you want to bring a friend and get competitive. Who’s not down for a round of Scrabble while enjoying a hot beverage?
That brings us to the beverage. Coffee was offered with all the usual trimmings: flavors, mix-ins, creamer options, the lot…but was it good? Yes!
Coffee was solid, a little darker roast than I usually drink, but I didn’t ask if there was a lighter roast available. They also serve hot chocolate and a selection of teas.
What I found to be the star of the show was their bakery. They make a large variety of sourdough, muffins, pastries, and more. Fresh made and custom order options for all kinds of items. If you are looking for something unique, they do things that aren’t available in lots of other places in CoCo. I was impressed with the foot traffic while I was having my muffin. Several orders and folks picking up bread and bakery goods. Very encouraging and here’s cheers to Go CoCo!

The day’s baked goods are up close and readily visible, giving a feast for the eyes as well as the other senses when you walk up to the counter.

Our Five-Point Rating Scale:
1. Missed the Beat – Needs more fine-tuning to get it right.
2. Warming Up – Promising, but missing a few key elements to make it memorable.
3. Finding the Groove – A solid experience with potential for growth.
4. In the Zone – Near perfect, with only minor tweaks needed.
5. Encore-Worthy – An experience you’ll rave about to everyone.

If I were to rate the coffee shop alone it would sit a little lower, but the level of quality combo-ed with the bakery brings the whole unit up to a solid 4 of 5. They are defiantly “In the Zone” with their current baked goods and coffee offering! I would recommend stopping in and getting comfy with a muffin and a cup of Joe!

Candlewood Farms and Bakery is located in downtown Whiteville at 721 S. Madison Street.
They are open 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Wednesday-Friday and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays. For custom orders call 910.207.6212.
As always, please help keep our local business owners going #CoCostrong.

Thanks for reading, reach out to me at positiveflownc@gmail.com for feedback or comments.
— Justin Williamson