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| - This was a much different store the last time we wandered in. That was about two years ago, now, and back then, it was called the sugar factory. Or the sweet factory. Or something along those lines.
At any rate, though the name and model has changed since our last foray, there are still some vestiges of the old store lingering. Things like joke candy, prank toys, and mildly insulting gifts clutter the front of the store.
Pay no mind to any of that. Instead, head towards the back, where the sweet scents of fresh chocolate will greet you. Step up to the bar, and allow one of the employees to offer you a sampling of chocolate. Seat yourself on a stool as your anticipation grows, watching the hands of the employee move, knowing that something delicious your way comes.
We were with my cousin, and all three of us jumped at the chance to sample the chocolates that we could see were being made in the kitchen in front of us. We were given the choice between milk and dark. I went dark (because I'm right), and my husband and cousin both went milk (amateurs).
The friendly employee handed over the trays of chocolate, each piece resting on a square that told you the name of the region the cacao came from, and what to expect of the flavor. She then provided a recommendation on how to sample the pieces - which variations to try first, not like, "open mouth, consume" - and left us to go mmm over all the pieces.
While we were sitting there comparing chocolates and making yummy noises, she came back to ask if we'd want a sample of hot chocolate made out of the chocolate flavor we each liked best. Say whaaaat?!
The hot chocolate sample was surprising. It was rich without being too thick, like we were expecting. It was delicious and flavorful, and definitely impressed us.
As we were walking away to find some of the chocolate bars that we liked, we noticed that they were giving a tour of the kitchen to a couple. I would have loved to have gotten in on that, but there was nobody around to ask by then.
I do like this iteration of the store better than what it was before. I just prefer the handmade chocolates to the other unimpressive junk they sell up front.
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