Sweet Shop

The Marshall Field's department store division of Target Corp. (Minneapolis) has added yet another branded boutique to its downtown Chicago flagship store renovation.

Australian Homemade will sell its ice cream, chocolate and coffee in a 450-square-foot shop on the first floor of the State Street store, at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Randolph Street. A large picture window will allow passersby to watch as the 18 different varieties of Australian Homemade sorbets and ice creams are made fresh throughout the day.

Despite its name, Australian Homemade creates its chocolates by hand in Amsterdam. Its franchise system currently operates more than 50 stores worldwide, including 23 in the Netherlands; 22 in Belgium; four in Spain; two in Germany and one in the U.K. The company is the market leader in Belgium and the Netherlands, and is expanding in more international markets, including Australia and Korea. The U.S. rollout plan includes two more company-owned retail locations in Manhattan in the next six months and more franchise locations in Chicago and Miami by the end of the year. Their aggressive growth strategy, focusing on major U.S. metropolitan markets, aims to mirror the successful expansion in the European market.

Australian Homemade was selected by Marshall Field's to be part of a distinctive focal point on the first floor — a mix of exclusive, noteworthy shops, such as Levenger and Yahoo. “We are extremely pleased to be introducing this fun, high-quality brand to Chicago and our State Street store,” said Ralph Hughes, Marshall Field's regional director.