Fran's Cake & Candy Supplies — Attraction in Fairfax

I am a self-taught chocolatier and have been shopping at Fran's for the past 20 years (at this and it's previous location in the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center), both when Fran owned it and after she sold the business to Sallee. In all that time I have never (repeat, never) been dissatisfied with either the products, service, personnel, or owners. Both Fran and Sallee have a fine knowledge of the confectionary crafts, and both were/are extremely helpful and friendly. In addition, prices (especially for the bulk chocolate) are quite competitive and the quality of the merchandise is high. I've never experienced any time, if I had a problem with something I purchased at Fran's, that they would not do everything within their power and ability to resolve.

This store is a unique resource in the northern Virginia area, and Sallee provides a wonderful service in maintaining this enterprise. We would be the poorer without it, and would have difficulty obtaining (locally) many of the materials that professionals and hobbyists use. So, do yourselves a favor and patronize this small business.

(P.S. --- For those that might be prone to ask: I have no vested interest in this business, nor am I related to Fran or Sallee. In addition, I've posted this review unsolicited and without the foreknowledge of...

I took the introduction to cake decorating class with Laura and loved it!! I didn't think I was even interested in it as an actual hobby, but the class was great - step by step instructions at a pace that was manageable even for someone clumsy and fixated on details like me. And I couldn't believe that I had a looking cake by the end! Laura provided helpful hacks throughout the class so I feel not confident not just doing this as a one-off, but actually applying things I learned to my next home bake.

I honestly assumed that there would be pressure to buy expensive supplies at the end - but there wasn't at all. When I decided I did want to take a some basics home, the ladies in the store kindly guided me and I was pleasantly surprised that for less than $20 I've got a few things to get started. But I'll be back because the store is MASSIVE with everything a baker could ever dream of.

This place is a sleeper hit. Go...

I have zero decorating experience but thought it would be fun to try. Chef Dawn taught this layer cake class on buttercream, fresh floral and gold drip. I’d never done piping or icing before but she was encouraging and I left with a pretty good final product. There was 8 in my class, 2 people per table.

They provide all the supplies (cake, icing, spatulas, flowers, buttercream, gold, edging tools, etc), you create the product and take it home.

Way more advanced classes if that is what you are looking for. They do seem to book out fast, so click all the way on the Event Bright info to make sure they aren’t sold out of the class you want. You get a discount on store products the day of your class. The two store employees (or owner/s?) were helpful and complimentary to us...