700-Block: Part 2 - chow chocolat
While I spoke with the couple they proceeded to tour me around their incredible diggs. Vaulting brick walls, freshly laid wood floors, custom made chocolate bars, crystal chandeliers, exposed ductwork, giant display windows... even though the shop was still a work-in-progress it was clear that they were going all out on the out-fittings. "At one point we both attended the French Culinary Institute in NY," they said. "We also did a lot of research in NYC and decided that we wanted to bring back everything that we learned. We're hoping to be downtown pioneers and we believe that many of our existing customers will follow us. When we started the business it surprised us how quickly the word of mouth spread. We specialize in artisan chocolates, and we're going to be expanding into the custom and branded market for corporate sales."
chow chocolat will offer in-house selections to their customers in a brilliant way. A customer can pick and choose an array of hand-selected chocolates that will then be placed onto a small wood painter's pallet. The customer can take the pallet back to a chaise lounge area where he or she can sip a choice of eight specialty coffees (or teas). Single origin, organic, fare trade and shade grown coffees will mix and match with bonbons, truffles, molded chocolates, etc. "Customers can order sipping chocolates too," Jaclyn mentioned. "One of the offerings will even have real gold dust or flakes with sugar diamonds on top." "And most everything is eco-friendly," Scott chimed in. "The containers and the coffee cups are all compost-able and printed with soy based dyes. The packaging is all post-consumer products."
chow chocolate, named after Pumba the Chow Chow (seen in photo with kids Eva and Brandon) will be open in just a couple of weeks. Eventually the couple will add a bistro-style patio section with umbrellas along Main Street. Of course the goodies and drinks will be offered to go for those customers who don't have the time to lounge around eating sweets and sipping blended hot chocolates.
chow chocolat is located at 731 Main Street in the Avalon building. 716.843.4388
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GDC
I'm so happy for them, About time something like this came to Buffalo. I'm sure this will be a huge success. Congrats!!! Can't wait to visit on my next trip home.
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Deliking
Newel as you know, I have a chow mix, raised chow dogs and am partial to the breed. I like their nasty disposition and territorial nature. The chow single minded devotion to one individual is loyalty at it's best.
I think it's great another young couple is doing something together to be self sufficient The space they have chosen appears to be interesting and chocolate is a product everyone likes.
That said, name a business after a dog? what's the connection ? the dog cooks? is the taste tester? is the greeter? give me a clue. I hope they don't plan to have the dog on premise, big insurance \ liability issues and the health department can be a pain. Besides the dog is the wrong color to be their mascot, although a good looking animal.
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queenseyes
That's funny. I didn't know much about the chow until I met Pumba. That said, the dog will not be at the store to greet customers. He was just there to help work on the space. As far as the name goes, I originally thought that the reference was to eating. So in the end not many people will even be privy to the chow reference. Being an animal lover myself I see the naming of the business after a pet as an endearing statement. I'm sure that the kids were all in on the naming process too. Hey, it could have been called Pumba after all. Have a good one Deliking.
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bc71
Will they have a wine and beer license....love me some port or ice wine with my chocolate....
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ChristaSeychew
French bakery? Lord we need one. Our many Italian bakeries are fantastic, but Buffalo is sorely lacking when it comes to classic French pastry. I can't wait to check it out!
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Littleflick
Patio dining just in time for the summer? Fantastic! I work two doors away from this place, it's guaranteed to become a favorite hangout of ours.
So now I work two doors away from a chocolate shoppe, and I live two doors away from a Beer Merchant. This is gonna be a good summer!
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Littleflick
Although to be technical, I guess they're not a restaurant, so maybe patio "dining" isn't the correct term. I'll be outside, and I'll be eating something...who cares!
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RisingDamp666
Hey bc71, try a big, round, fat Chilean Cabernet such as Montes Alpha with chocolate. See if the flavors don't meld seamlessly.
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EricOak
Wish them many years of success here....and I hope it's a romantic, genuine cafe atmosphere...which does not exist anywhere in the city right now. I hope this is an antidote to the grungy, hip, loud coffeehouses.
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gaustad
Great idea, great location
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vgs
Red wine and Chocolate has never worked for me, I have always thaough this has been a local winery concept to attract novice wine drinkers. Best of Luck sounds like they are genuine and passionate.
Open for Coffee and snack in the early morning?
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buffcitygirl
Seeing that young family embarking on this ad-venture is so heartwarming. It brings tears to my eyes. Sorry, I can't help it. It means everything to this city to have people just like this take a chance-see the future as someplace here in Buffalo with a big blue sky overhead and the sky as the limit! I wish you all the luck in the world...not that you'll need it. Looks like most of your bases are covered and what isn't, will be..I'm sure. What a bright future you have ahead of you. May your business live on for generations and be handed down to those little ones of yours. While I think of it...and it's just a suggestion, it'd be really interesting to have a small framed short story of the history of the address your occupying. That goes for any business here using old buildings. I have a firm belief that people rich in the knowledge of their local history gain a connection to it and it spurs new ideas for growth and a willingness to invest in being a part of it. God Bless!
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buffcitygirl
YOU'RE occupying...need a proof reader... duh!
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WCPerspective
Now if we could only convince the Chocolate Bar and Choco-Logo to move to the 700 block....mmmmm
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davvid
wow--this sounds great
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wizardofza
Now if we could only convince the Chocolate Bar and Choco-Logo to move to the 700 block....mmmmm
...Then Newell could call it "the Chocolate District" :D
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Matthewjohnp
Mmm, pricey chocolate or gas for the car? Well it is the 700 block after all, so I suppose after they steal my car I can spend my gas money on heritage hersey bars.
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RisingDamp666
Don't be so cynical, Matthewjohnp, they're only out to steal your rims.
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Martin
The space looks great, sounds so sophisticated. This should bump up the 700 block a notch as that section of main has so much potential. Good Luck!
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GDC
Just need the other spaces to fill up with retail and eateries to make this area busy with pedestrians.
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rb66
This was suppose to open in February. http://www.buffalorising.com/story/sweet
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leadi
rb66 - see recent article about the recent meeting with Tobe....NOTHING in Buffalo moves fast because City hall tends to tie things up where and when they can.
There are other factors as well - Health Department regulations that must be met, whether the telephone company could get in and hook up the credit card machines, if the contractors finished when they said they would, hiring and training employees...one task not finished on the due date ties up the next one.
I am sure this family is working very to open as soon as possible and I can't wait to check this place out!
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fill
Littleflick's comment made me laugh out loud and I am so happy that buffcitygirl corrected her own error before I had a chance to make a rude grammar comment !! I like the location of this place - It's a short walk from my house in Allentown. When I'm in NYC, I always head to the patisserie on the southwest corner of 9th and 20th. for a box of their chocolate truffles. I'll be anxious to try the truffles here.
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