Winfrey's Fudge & Chocolates was approved for its new location on Cabot Street by a 5-0 vote at the Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting last night.  

Winfrey's will replace the former Rice Rental Center. 

"We've always felt that Beverly is a promising community," Mark Winfrey told Patch. "We did have a store in Beverly a few years ago and closed it for different reasons. We're excited to be opening another retail store downtown."

The business plans to do "a lot of work" on the building, and Winfrey said they're aiming for a late spring/early summer opening. 

"We want to be open as soon as possible," he said. 

Alongside the retail side of the store, there will be a glass wall where customers can view the demonstration area where candies are being made. 

Established in 1979 and headquartered in Rowley, Winfrey's also has retail locations in Hamilton, Wenham, Newburyport, and and Stoneham.