General News
3 December, 2025
Sweet new addition opens in Beaufort
BEAUFORT’S main street has a new attraction, with the opening of Freddy Fernackerpan’s Funtime Candy bringing handmade treats and a touch of nostalgia to the town.
Owned by confectioner Matt Brick, the shop opened last week and has already drawn interest from locals and visitors alike.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the confectionery industry and having worked across Australia, Matt has now settled in Beaufort to revive traditional lolly making in the region.
He said the decision to open in Beaufort came naturally.
“I was cruising through looking for a site, and this one stood out, it was a good spot,” he said.
Inside the store, customers can watch lollies being made the traditional way.
“We make lollies all day. We do our own freeze drying and the toffee apples. We’ve got a bit of a range.”
The shop’s production methods remain true to the century-old craft.
“It’s an old tradition, it’s about 100 years old, and we still make it the same old way, stretching it by hand, cutting it by hand,” he said.
Matt isn’t afraid to experiment with flavours either.
“We did a crazy one the other day for the Cyril McCallister Museum, a Vegemite flavour,” he said, with his freeze-dried lollies wowing tasters, “You close your eyes, you think you’re eating Vegemite on toast.”
Unusual flavours are part of the fun.
“I’ve made honey soy chicken lollies before. It’s something we do in our downtime. You do something different, gets people talking.”
But it’s the classics that are winning customers over.
“The most popular at the moment is probably our passionfruit,” Matt said.
Beyond lollies, the store also offers cakes, coffee and milkshakes, with ice cream soon to be added ahead of summer.
Freddy Fernackerpan’s Funtime Candy is open seven days a week, operating 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on weekends. The shop is located at 12 Havelock Street, Beaufort, and will soon launch a range of festive sweets in the lead-up to Christmas.
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