From Candy Factory to Boutique Hotel: The Story Behind The Charmant Hotel
Long before The Charmant welcomed guests for craft cocktails, rooftop views, and romantic weekend escapes, its historic home was already part of the story of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Located in the heart of downtown La Crosse, The Charmant Hotel occupies a landmark building with roots stretching back generations. From the site of the city’s first log cabin to the former Joseph B. Funke Candy Factory, its story is one of craftsmanship, community, and thoughtful reinvention.
Today, that history lives on within a 67-room boutique hotel, where original architectural details meet modern comforts and warm Midwest hospitality.
The Beginning of a La Crosse Landmark
The story of The Charmant begins in 1842, when fur trader Nathan Myrick built the first log cabin on the site where the hotel now stands. A memorial plaque outside the hotel honors this distinction and connects the property to the earliest days of La Crosse history.
More than 50 years later, the site would begin another chapter, one that would eventually inspire The Charmant’s name and identity.
The Funke Candy Factory Years
In 1898, the brick building that stands today was constructed for the Joseph B. Funke Candy Company. At its height, the Funke Candy Factory became one of La Crosse’s most significant businesses, employing approximately 220 to 250 workers who produced chocolates and candies enjoyed throughout the region.
Among the company’s most celebrated offerings was the “Charmant” line of premium chocolates, presented in elegant wood-burned boxes. Meaning “charming” in French, Charmant was a fitting name for some of the company’s finest confections.
More than a century later, that name would find its way home again.
From Historic Candy Factory to Boutique Hotel
The Funke Candy Company ceased operations in 1933 during the Great Depression, but its brick factory remained an enduring part of downtown La Crosse.
In 2015, following an extensive renovation, the former candy factory began a new chapter as The Charmant Hotel, a 67-room boutique hotel in downtown La Crosse.
Rather than leaving its history behind, The Charmant was designed to carry it forward. Historic architecture and original details were thoughtfully preserved, creating a hotel experience that feels distinctly connected to the building and the city surrounding it.
Preserving The Charmant’s Historic Character
Step inside The Charmant today and traces of the former Funke Candy Factory remain all around you.
Original maple wood floors, exposed brick walls, historic wood beams, and other architectural details honor the craftsmanship of the building’s past. These storied elements are paired with refined accommodations, thoughtful service, and the comforts of a modern luxury boutique hotel in La Crosse.
The hotel’s confectionery history continues in subtler ways, too, from its name to the sense of sweetness and occasion woven throughout the guest experience.
It is a place shaped by what came before, while continuing to create stories of its own.
A Historic Hotel in the Heart of Downtown La Crosse
From its beginnings as the site of La Crosse’s first cabin to its years as a bustling candy factory and its transformation into a beloved boutique hotel, The Charmant has remained closely tied to the city around it.
Today, guests can settle into a beautifully appointed room, gather over French-inspired dining, sip cocktails above the city on the rooftop terrace, or simply wander the historic halls and discover details preserved from another era.
For travelers searching for a historic hotel in La Crosse, Wisconsin, The Charmant offers more than a place to stay. It offers the chance to experience a piece of the city’s story.
Experience The Charmant for Yourself
Every corner of The Charmant holds a little history.
Whether you are planning a romantic getaway in La Crosse, a weekend escape along the Mississippi River, or a special celebration in downtown La Crosse, we invite you to become part of the building’s next chapter.
Book your stay at The Charmant Hotel and experience the history, character, and gracious hospitality of one of downtown La Crosse’s most distinctive destinations.
About The Charmant Hotel
Located in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, The Charmant Hotel blends French-inspired hospitality with the rich history of a beautifully restored 19th-century candy factory. The boutique hotel offers luxury accommodations, exceptional dining, rooftop views, and an authentic connection to the Driftless Region.
