Fireside Mallow
The tinny call of an ice cream truck, a sunburn’s sting and the smell of grilled meats are all familiar summer sensations. One tradition high on the list for most Idahoans includes nights by a campfire, swapping stories and toasting marshmallows. Think thick, gooey foam smashed between graham crackers, all sealed together with decadent chocolate to form the perfect s’more.
Fireside Mallow in Caldwell opened up their small takeout marshmallow shop not only because the Nelson family shares those memories, but because they love the stories that others share.
Fireside Mallow has been cooking up gourmet marshmallows for three years and their small shop has expanded to sell their treats to over nine other states. Stacey and Russ Nelson were first inspired by their daughter Grace enjoying a summer sleepover complete with a backyard marshmallow toast and sharing her idea of a “s’mores store.” Many parents might chuckle at the thought of a shop only for marshmallows, but for Stacey and Russ it was an idea that stuck.
Gourmet marshmallows aren’t your everyday business, but that’s exactly why Fireside Mallow is so enjoyable. Walk into their cozy retail store and Russ will hand-toast you a marshmallow of your choosing (no campfire required, he has a blowtorch). Stacey and Russ can spend all evening visiting with their customers, listening to the memories of summers past that inspire people to walk into the shop.
“We just love meeting people,” says Stacey. “Our customers feel like, and are, a part of our business.”
Some customer contributions to Fireside Mallow are banana-bread-flavored, heart-shaped and cinnamon-candy-stuffed marshmallow treats. As unique and enticing as these goodies are, the most popular products on the shelf are the Toasted Coconut mallows and Huckleberry mallows, flavored with Idaho huckleberry jam from Homemade By Dorothy.
The Nelson family has plans for the future of Fireside Mallow.
“We’re working on shaping into a destination spot,” Stacey says, “where people can enjoy their marshmallows in-store rather than from a package at home.” The dream is a dessert café centered around the craft marshmallows, including hand-roasted s’mores, frozen marshmallow treats and other specialty goodness.
“Come visit us,” Stacey says with a promise: “It’s worth the trip.”
