CRESWELL – The legend and evolution of Bigfoot continues to grow, and the citizens of Creswell and surrounding communities couldn’t be happier about it.
Bigfoot Fudge Factory, located adjacent to the Creswell Library, is so-named because its fudge and ice cream are scary good.
“I was born in Austin, Texas, and ever since I was a kid I always wanted to use Bigfoot as a trademark, or a name for something,” said Johnny Saldana, who’s celebrating the store’s 10th anniversary this summer.
“I thought If I ever get a chance to use it, I’m going to do it. And then, 26 years ago, we made the move here to the Pacific Northwest – and what better opportunity than to use that name?
Washington State and California are the most frequently cited hot spots for “sightings” or “encounters” with the mythical Bigfoot-type creatures.
“I’ve met quite a few podcasters and researchers and filmmakers who want to talk to me about Bigfoot,” Saldana said.
Saldana always knew he could make some good fudge. But he didn’t know how challenging it would be to get a business off the ground. His first four years were spent working out of his kitchen at his Camas Swale farm home before he found his current shop location in 2020.
“I had a commercial license. I had a presence online, but nothing major at that time – it was just fudge back then,” Saldana said. “We would do the Lane County Fair, and Christmas events at Creswell Community Center, that type of thing.”
Although COVID hit in early 2020, closing down many businesses, it opened a door for Saldana, and it wasn’t long before he started renting a space at 25 N. 1st St., which had previously been used for Kiwanis club gatherings and church club meetings.
Even though the official 10th anniversary date is Nov. 16, 2026, Saldana said he wanted to kick off the Bigfoot celebration over the Fourth of July weekend, then continue marking the occasion throughout the summer.
“I think it will be fun to enjoy it the whole year. I’d like to offer up T-shirts, or coupons for a free meal, something like that,” Saldana said. “I know a lot of fancy cake-makers in town – you can’t beat ice cream and cake when you have a special event.
“The community has always been so supportive. …The schools come here and buy tubs of ice cream. … Whenever I can do something for the community, I always reach out because I want to give back.”
The Few family and Luke Jackson’s family – perhaps the area’s two most famous families mainly because of their basketball connections – are loyal patrons of Bigfoot Fudge Factory.
“They’re a lot of fun when they come in here,” Saldana said. “It’s fun to have local celebrities, if you will, stopping by here. The Few family usually stops by around holiday time – not every year – but if they want ice cream, they go to Bigfoot Fudge. It’s always neat to see them here.”
Saldana is a huge sports fan and loves talking about sports with his customers. He’s also quite a serious bowler along with his son Aaron and carries a 205 average. They went to Reno two weeks ago for one of the country’s longest-running tournaments in Carson City.
Johnny, who was formerly employed at the University of Oregon as an environmental specialist in the housing department, doesn’t work single-handedly. His wife Jennifer “is the brains of the operation” and Aaron usually works about four days a week at the store.
“I love going home and sharing stories with Jennifer and Aaron,” Saldana said. “She’s not only the brains of the operation, she has to run everything on the farm. And I tell you, it’s so helpful when Aaron can keep the kettle going and keep the fudge making and I don’t have to stop doing what I’m doing. … So it’s nice when I come in and it’s like the Fudge Fairy has stopped in and there’s a bunch of fudge for me to work with. I love it, I enjoy that so much.”
Saldana said his chocolate and peanut butter-chocolate fudge are his two steadiest sellers, but he features a fascinating array of flavors, including pistachio, cookie dough, raspberry jalapeno, chocolate jalapeno, and maple walnut. The butterscotch salted caramel is his most requested ice cream hit.
“That flavor does really well in fudge, too,” he said.
Along with the handcrafted fudge and Prince Puckler’s ice cream, Bigfoot Fudge also offers saltwater taffy, fresh cinnamon roasted nuts, slushies, and other assorted treats.
Saldana said he was offered an opportunity to move his shop to the other side of town. “They told me, ‘If you’re interested, we’d love to have you,’” he said. “But I like it here. I feel like I’m part of the neighborhood. Parents are good with their kids going to the park and then coming over here after they leave the park. It’s a good place for the kids to go.”
And besides, just about everyone in town is going ape over the fudge and ice cream.
