Photos: Chris Emeott
Let holiday desserts serve up sweet flavors and stunning table décor.
Does anyone else fall victim to SHDF—seasonal holiday decision fatigue? The questions come tumbling down this time of year like a never-ending blizzard. What to buy, bake or serve; who to gift, invite or visit; where to decorate, dine or travel; when to clean, pantry stock or wrap—it starts landing in the hours after Thanksgiving, and relief doesn’t come until the clock strikes a new year.
Let’s alleviate a few of the decisions with the help of Donamae’s Sweet Studio, which offers a full suite of lovely treats to gift or serve. We like the idea of showcasing sweets as part of décor elements, utilizing their colors and textures to create pleasing (and practical) visual interest on any buffet, dining table or serving station. And the opportunities for gift giving know no bounds.
Donamae’s Sweet Studio, founded by Donamae Koppelman, not only offers its original gourmet toffee and chocolate-pecan popcorn, it also features carefully-curated candy trays, brimming with decadent chocolates, one-of-a-kind dipped licorice, hand-dipped dried apricots and even dipped halvah. Caramels, toffees and other sweet bites also make their appearance on the trays. “There’s truly something for everyone,” says Jaclyn Charney, Koppelman’s granddaughter.
Candy is a sweet highlight at all kinds of celebrations. The Donamae’s Sweet Studio team recommends it for anniversaries, baby namings, bar or bat mitzvahs, birthdays, graduations, showers, weddings or even as a thoughtful alternative to condolence flowers or fruit baskets. “We love sharing Donamae’s sweetness in life’s happiest celebrations and even in its more tender, heartfelt moments,” Nancy Charney says.
While the tried-and-true treats are regular features, Donamae’s continues to find new products to share, including creamy fudge, decadent truffle sticks and espresso beans—a huge hit with anyone who loves a sweet coffee fix. “[My grandmother] always believed in keeping things exciting,” Jaclyn says. “It meant so much to her to constantly bring in new, delicious ideas. She personally tasted and approved each addition, making sure every new treat carried that same joy and charm our customers have always loved.”
Will there be new offerings for the December holidays? “Definitely,” says Nancy Charney, Koppelman’s daughter. “… the holidays are one of the most fun times of the year for us. We love finding the cutest, most festive goodies to bring into the shop.”
The original popcorn recipe was created for Donamae Koppelman, the original owner of Donamae’s Sweet Studio.
To help shoppers curate their gifts for family, friends, hostesses and teachers and as stocking stuffers, the duo says its popcorn is always a go-to, but visiting the storefront can inspire more ideas. “We’ve got everything from adorable peanut butter cups and decorative [chocolate sandwich cookies] to holiday truffle boxes, holiday pretzels, gooey marshmallow treats, adorable gummy bags and personalized cookie jars,” Jaclyn says. Decisions made!
Donamae’s Sweet Studio’s website doesn’t highlight all the available items, as it gets new products in all the time, so a visit to the Deephaven shop is the best bet. “Our studio feels like a little winter wonderland during the holidays, all decked out and filled with the cutest new treats and gifts,” says Jaclyn Charney, granddaughter of Donamae Koppelman.
Recipe for Success
Over 45 years ago, Donamae Koppelman started selling her gourmet popcorn and sweets just for fun, mostly at local fundraisers. What started as a simple hobby out of her St. Louis Park home, quickly gained momentum. “Before long, she was shipping to stockbroker clients out of town who fell in love with the popcorn, and that’s really when things took off,” says Nancy Charney of her mother’s business.
Donamae Koppelman stands in front of the candy business’s former storefront. She passed away in May, but she left an indelible mark, guiding Donamae’s into the future. Photos: Donamae’s Sweet Studio
Since those early days, three generations of the “Donamae Girls,” as they call themselves, have joined the sweet journey. Nancy began working alongside her mother, and when Koppelman decided to spend more time in Florida, Nancy turned up her own passion for the business by opening Donamae’s Sweet Studio in Deephaven in 2007.
Nancy Charney (left) and her daughter, Jaclyn Charney, continue a legacy of smart business built on a solid, innovative foundation, created by their mother and grandmother, respectively.
Nancy’s daughter, Jaclyn Charney, grew up helping out, and once she graduated from college, she began working full time in the family business. “It’s always been a family affair, full of love, hard work and pride from the beginning of Donamae teaching us everything,” she says.
“Working with family is truly a blessing for us,” Nancy says. “We’re incredibly close and collaborate wonderfully … we each bring our own unique perspectives and ideas, which only enriches what we create together.” But 2025 brought a significant loss. Koppelman passed away in May, just shy of her 95th birthday. “She was still very much a part of the business and always knew about every order [and] event,” Jaclyn says.
As the business grew, Donamae Koppelman traveled to Fancy Food Shows in New York City and San Francisco, candy shows and various markets to discover exciting new lines. “She built the most beautiful relationships along the way; people adored her,” her daughter Nancy Charney says. “She had such an incredible eye for finding unique sweets that brought joy … She believed it was so important to keep things fresh and exciting, always bringing in something new.”
Koppelman’s family presses forward, keeping her original and ever-evolving vision close at hand, especially during this time of year. “During the holidays, our business truly becomes a heartwarming family affair,” Nancy says. Along with Jaclyn, Nancy’s husband, Jay, and their two sons, J.P. and Todd, step in to assist.
“At Donamae’s, it’s more than just candy; it’s about connection,” Jaclyn says. “It’s truly a joyful business to be in. Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday or just a Tuesday, we want people to feel like they’re part of something sweet and meaningful … We pour so much love into what we do, and we genuinely care about making every customer feel amazing the moment they walk through our doors. People tell us all the time that Donamae’s is such a happy, fun place and knowing the story behind it touches people and makes it even more special. It’s sweet in every sense of the word.”
Donamae’s Sweet Studio
Instagram: @donamaes_a_sweet_studio
