Does Elmwood need a new chocolate shop? Dare I venture to say, "Yes"? Now before you counter me, let me ask you if you've ever paid a visit to Chow Chocolat on Main Street. If you have, then you might know Jaclyn (photo left with Liz Tupper) and Scott Wisz and their passion for sweets. What you might not know is that after 3 1/2 years of business on Main Street, the two have decided to spread their wings a bit. They have made a decision to open a satellite location in the former Lu Modern location where they are really going to get down to mouth-watering business.
Ultimately, Jaclyn and Scott are both happy with business on Main Street. "We've become a destination," Jaclyn told me. "We just had our best Valentine's Day ever... but we're still missing out on the foot traffic. That's why we're opening a second location on Elmwood. The concept is going to be a bit different. We're still going to prepare the confections here (Main Street). Having a location on Elmwood will allow us to make products with a shorter shelf life... like habanero ganache brownies... or edible chocolate bowls filled with fruits and mousse. We'll be serving frozen hot cocoa and chocolate fondue. Eventually we want to make our own ice cream. Customers will be able to make their own s'mores in a cozy setting. We feel that we've made a mark in the city and now it's time to find new customers. The store will also be a good billboard for our Main Street location... it's a win-win for us."
The couple feels that they can add to the mix of chocolaty choices on the street, while opening customers' eyes to some of the sweet delicacies that are not currently available in the city. Chow Chocolat anticipates to open at 715 Elmwood Avenue at the end of March, just in time for Easter. It would be nice to see the owner of the building uncover the transom windows that obscure natural light from getting in. It looks as if they are just painted over.
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Ultimately, Jaclyn and Scott are both happy with business on Main Street. "We've become a destination," Jaclyn told me. "We just had our best Valentine's Day ever... but we're still missing out on the foot traffic. That's why we're opening a second location on Elmwood. The concept is going to be a bit different. We're still going to prepare the confections here (Main Street). Having a location on Elmwood will allow us to make products with a shorter shelf life... like habanero ganache brownies... or edible chocolate bowls filled with fruits and mousse. We'll be serving frozen hot cocoa and chocolate fondue. Eventually we want to make our own ice cream. Customers will be able to make their own s'mores in a cozy setting. We feel that we've made a mark in the city and now it's time to find new customers. The store will also be a good billboard for our Main Street location... it's a win-win for us."
The couple feels that they can add to the mix of chocolaty choices on the street, while opening customers' eyes to some of the sweet delicacies that are not currently available in the city. Chow Chocolat anticipates to open at 715 Elmwood Avenue at the end of March, just in time for Easter. It would be nice to see the owner of the building uncover the transom windows that obscure natural light from getting in. It looks as if they are just painted over.
Photo: Jaclyn (left) with her #1 employee Liz Tupper
May the best chocolate win......and, I do think the coffee bar-meets chocolate bar is a winning model. That should differentiate them from Fowlers/Watsons.