PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS | THE VILLAGE REPORTER
A SWEET CELEBRATION … CK Sweets Owner Cat Kania (center right) is joined by husband Derek (center left) and daughter Kylie, as she cuts the ribbon at a grand reopening of its Swanton home, celebrating six years of progress since the business opened. Also pictured are (from left) Hanah Faber (an original 2020 employee), Lexi Faber, Wyatt Gibbons, Clair Smith, and Riley Bellner (an original 2020 employee).
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Six years after first opening their doors, CK Sweets held a ribbon cutting and grand reopening Saturday morning to mark the occasion.
The business has been offering a variety of baked sweets as well as coffee and other items since it opened in 2020. “It’s been a wild ride,” owner Cat Kania said before cutting the ribbon.
“We opened right before COVID hit and that first year was a doozy that I don’t think any of us expected, but a lot of the local businesses here have supported us and helped us through it, and I just appreciate everybody’s support and everybody being here this morning. It means a lot to me.”
Kania added a mobile truck nicknamed “Zelda” in 2021 and, after buying the building at the end of 2024, completing several structural and cosmetic upgrades.
She said the truck was borne out of necessity trying to boost business in the wake of COVID as a way to get their name out and draw business back to Swanton. Then the building purchase gave her more opportunities.
“So in 2025, we spent the year kind of doing minor improvements,” Kania said. “There was some structural damage, there was water damage, there was rotting wood, there was no insulation, so we just kind of wanted to give her a refresh and put some time and effort into making the building sustainable for the next 40, 50 years and just kind of invest back in the community and back in Swanton.”
The ribbon cutting was held in conjunction with the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to participating in the event, Executive Director Delray Busch issued a press release in advance.
“Seeing a local business grow, purchase their own building, reinvest in downtown, and continue serving the community is exactly what we love to celebrate,” Busch wrote.
“The building looks amazing, and this milestone is well earned.” Busch also lauded Kania’s military background.
“Owner Kat Kania is a U.S. military veteran who served as a Master Sergeant (E7) in the Security Forces Squadron, bringing leadership, dedication, and service-driven values into every aspect of the business,” the release states.
For more information on CK Sweets, visit their website at CKSweets.com, call at (419)402-4280, or visit them in person at 95 S. Main Street, Swanton.