07/27/2026
There are moments in life that are difficult to put into words, and this is one of them.
After 11 wonderful years, we have made the difficult decision to close the doors of Valley Sweets. Our final day of business will be Saturday, August 15th.
What started out as a way to support our family after Mike’s life-changing accident quickly became so much more than an ice cream and candy shop. It became a place where our community gathered, friendships were formed, and some of life’s sweetest memories were made.
Over the years, Valley Sweets became so much more than our workplace, it became our second home. We raised and homeschooled our daughters within these walls throughout their teenage years. They learned lessons that could never be taught in a classroom: the value of hard work, serving others, building relationships, perseverance, and the importance of community. Those years together are memories our family will treasure forever.
We’ve had the privilege of being part of first dates, baby gender announcements, weddings, birthday celebrations, after-game ice cream runs, community events, family traditions, and countless summer evenings spent with the people you love. We’ve watched little ones grow up, only to return years later with children of their own. Being invited into those moments has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.
To our loyal customers, thank you. Thank you for choosing us, for supporting a small family business, and for allowing us to be part of your stories. You gave Valley Sweets a heart and a purpose far greater than we ever imagined. The memories we’ve made together will stay with us forever.
We must recognize our amazing manager, Halli Hedtke, thank you for your years of incredible leadership, dedication, friendship, and unwavering commitment to Valley Sweets. You helped shape this business into what it became. You carried this place with pride, loved it as if it were your own, and stood beside us through so many seasons. We are forever grateful for the countless hours, sacrifices, and heart you poured into Valley Sweets. Thank you for leaving a legacy that will always be part of Valley Sweets.
We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Jennifer Seeley for her many years of exceptional accounting services. Thank you for faithfully keeping our books in order, for your professionalism, and for the countless hours you dedicated behind the scenes. More than that, thank you for your encouragement, steady guidance, and the wisdom you shared with us through every season of our business. Your advice helped us navigate both the challenges and the successes, and your friendship has been a true blessing. Valley Sweets would not have been what it was without your support, and we will always be grateful for the role you played in our journey.
To every member of the Valley Sweets family who worked beside us over the past 11 years, thank you. Whether you were with us for one summer or many years, you each became part of our story. We watched high school students grow into confident adults, college students chase their dreams, parents return to the workforce, and friends become family. Together we celebrated milestones, laughed until we cried, worked through long summer nights, and created memories we’ll never forget. Every one of you left your mark on Valley Sweets, and this place simply would not have been the same without you. Thank you for your hard work, your loyalty, your friendship, and for helping create the welcoming place our community came to love.
While this chapter is coming to an end, the memories never will. As heartbreaking as it is to say goodbye, we leave with hearts overflowing with gratitude. Valley Sweets has given our family far more than we could have ever imagined, not because of the ice cream or the candy, but because of the people. You welcomed us into your lives, celebrated with us, cried with us, and supported us through life’s highs and lows. For that, we will be forever grateful.
As you watch the attached video, we hope it brings a smile to your face and reminds you of a few sweet moments you’ve shared with us over the past 11 years. Every photo represents a memory we will forever treasure, and every face is a reminder of just how blessed we’ve been. Thank you for filling Valley Sweets with so much love, laughter, joy, and kindness.
Before we close our doors on August 15th, we hope you’ll stop in one last time. We’d love the opportunity to share one more scoop, hear one more story, give one more hug, and simply say thank you.
While this chapter is ending for Valley Sweets, we hope it won’t be the end of this special space. It has been filled with so much laughter, joy, and community over the past 11 years, and we would love to see another small business continue that legacy. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a business in downtown St. Croix Falls and are interested in leasing the space, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to Shannon at [email protected].
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives. Valley Sweets may be closing, but the memories, friendships, and love we found here will stay with us forever. We pray that every time you walk past our little shop on Washington Street, you’ll remember not just the ice cream or the candy, but the smiles, the conversations, the laughter, and the community we built together.
Thank you for giving our family the privilege of serving yours for the past eleven years. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime.
With all our love and gratitude,
Mike & Shannon Donaghue
The Valley Sweets Family ❤️🍦
