Buchanan’s Sweet Shop faces foreclosure over $6,000 debt as community rallies to save landmark

BUCHANAN, Mich. -- Buchanan’s Sweet Shop, a local landmark that has served ice cream since 1947, is set to face a sheriff’s sale as the city moves to foreclose on the building over more $6,000 in debt.

The Sept. 24 sheriff’s sale comes as community members rally online for the city to pause the foreclosure and forgive the debt.

The Sweet Shop Cafe Italiano, has been a longtime gathering place for Buchanan residents. Owner Thomas Hitchcock said the ongoing foreclosure dispute has been an emotional experience for him, his family and employees.

“It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, as I’m sure you can imagine,” Hitchcock said. “There have been generation after generation of Buck teens and Buck families here in Buchanan.” 

Head cook Thomas Edwards said the Sweet Shop also became an important part of his own life after he began working there during a difficult period.

“You know when I first came here I was in a really tough spot,” Edwards said. “I never envisioned myself cooking, but as I continue to do it, I started to realize this is kind of my calling for sure.”

David Louder, a head cook and manager, said the business has developed a loyal customer base.

“It’s a great place,” Louder said. “I always get wonderful people coming in here. I have a lot of different people coming here maybe multiple times a week.”

The city and Buchanan Downtown Development Authority are pursuing foreclosure over more than $6,000 in debt tied to the building.

Hitchcock said he was surprised by the foreclosure action, saying he had not received invoices or been contacted about the debt for years.

“I received nothing in the way of an invoice for many, many years, no one ever talked to me even,” Hitchcock said.

Hitchcock said he had spent years paying down the loan associated with the building and has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the property.

Hitchcock has filed a lawsuit challenging the foreclosure. According to the lawsuit, the Downtown Development Authority lacks legal authority under Michigan law to enforce the foreclosure. The lawsuit also claims the city previously triggered an automatic statutory freeze on collection and enforcement capabilities.

Hitchcock characterized the foreclosure action as retaliatory and said he wants the dispute to be heard in court.

“We really think that this is an action of retaliation,” Hitchcock said. “I really wish we could get this before a judge or someone with common sense.”

The Sweet Shop building contains historic features that Hitchcock said he wants to preserve.

“We have put hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars into this building,” Hitchcock said. “All of this bar and our tables are from the 1930s.”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the property, Hitchcock said he hopes the Sweet Shop can continue operating.

“So if we can’t get into court, we’ll have to pay the money and who knows?” Hitchcock said.

The sheriff’s sale is scheduled for Sept. 24. Community members have been advocating online for the city to halt the foreclosure and forgive the debt as the deadline approaches.