Putting the pieces together

The front room starting to take shape.

Construction of the viewing window

Yay!  The window is in!  You can see right into the chocolate and kitchen area from the front room!

My beautiful flooring!

Construction part 2

In the corner of this picture, you can see the old porch from when there used to be one. 

Part one of construction

When we first came in to the new shop it had wall to wall carpet. We pulled up the carpet to discover hidden beautiful hardwood floors. It took six passes with a belt sander to find it, but we did, and it is now the hardwood floors in our retail/ sitting area!

Chocolate Demo in Kansas City

Back in May, we were invited to do a chocolate demo for a British publishing company called Choc lit. The event was in Kansas City. I showed our Persian Jewel Truffles. 

Old Town Wine Walkabout

This year for the Old Town Wine Walkabout we were in City Arts and paired with Grace Hill Winery. This was the first year I ran out of candy!  I brought what I always do, and there was still a line and I was out. I have to bring more for next year!

Display next to our friends at Grace Hill winery. 

Saigon Cinnamon Truffles

Death by Chocolate

The annual fundraiser Death By Chocolate benefiting Exploration Place. The theme was casino (60's style). 

I had to make chocolate shots (not available in store)

This was an old fashioned, orange cream, bourbon, candied orange peel and maraschino cherry.  

This was a bramble, lemon cream, sage infused gin, and blackberry jam

The visit to other chocolate shops

In April, we went to Chattanooga, TN and St. Louis to visit other chocolate shops. It was supposed to be a trip to Nashville to get a fridge (we learned you can't tip a fridge on its side or it will void the warranty). The fridge didn't fit in any truck we could rent, so we had it shipped and had a chocolate gathering instead.  

The hottie cake from the hot chocolatier. 

No trip to Chattanooga is complete without seeing the Choo Choo!

We went to a praline shop in Nashville. 

Lastly, we went to Crown Candy Kitchen in St. Louis.