The Chocolate Shoppe

Oh. Sweet. Goodness – Literally and figuratively!

Although I had sampled goodies from The Chocolate Shoppe at several events, including a bridal shower I attended recently, I hadn’t been into the store until last week.  I stopped in during one of the store’s frequent events, this one called “Indulge: An Evening of Sumptuous Sweets & Social Shopping.”  The store was quite full of shoppers, but given that there was chocolate and wine, I was somewhat surprised the crowd wasn’t spilling into the street.  But maybe that’s just me.

Speaking of the street, I need to provide directions, but I have to admit that I’m struggling with my Greensburg Directions on this one.  Sigh. 

The Chocolate Shoppe is located at 118 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, which is situated roughly between the YMCA Annex (where the Armory used to be; most people I know still just call it the Armory) and the Rialto.   According to owner Melissa O’Brien, the site was a Mary Kay retailer (everything was pink) most recently before it became her Chocolate Shoppe, but that it also used to be Image Craft and an art store.  In trying to figure out what used to be at and around The Chocolate Shoppe, I did also learn that Pennsylvania Avenue used to be named Junction Street – so named when the railroad was built and crossed the street not far from where the store is now.  Before the railroad came through, the road was known as Back Street.  If anyone knows what used to be where The Chocolate Shoppe (or any of the addresses on that block ) now sits, I’d love to hear it!

The Jelly Belly Shelf

(Silly iPhone camera - the walls are NOT a hideous

yellow. The store has a very aesthetically pleasing brown

and muted green theme.)

On to the goodies!  The Chocolate Shoppe is filled with unbelievable treats.  As you would expect, most of them involve chocolate, but the store also carries some other gourmet sweets, including Jelly Belly® jelly beans and the best gummy bears I ever had.  Which I know because I bought them for my girls, but Emily didn’t care for the out-of-the-ordinary flavors of these bears.  Mommy wins. 

My Goodie Bag (and Twinkie)

Just about anything you can cover in chocolate is offered at the store, from the typical (strawberries, apples, nuts) to the less expected (bacon, hot peppers).   One of the store’s specialties is chocolate-covered cheesecake.  I forced myself to pass on the cheesecake and bacon, but I did pick up a chocolate-covered Twinkie® on a stick, because I had it on good authority that it was The. Best. Thing. Ever.  (It did not disappoint.)  I brought it home and cut it into four pieces for the family to share.  I was actually glad that each of us enjoyed our Twinkie segment so that I didn’t have to polish it off myself as I’d done with the gummy bears.  (I’m thinking I would have had to add at least an extra two miles to my next run if I had.) 

One of the MANY shelves of chocolaty goodness

While I was at the Indulgence event, I mentioned to Melissa that chocolate-covered pretzels are my favorite food (not candy, food) in the world.  They have the salty, the sweet, the yin-yang – YUM!  She suggested that I try their Sea Salt Dark Chocolate.  And now I have a new favorite.  She said they also make it in a milk chocolate variety, but 1) they were out of it that day, 2) I do love me some dark chocolate, and 3) dark chocolate has antioxidants.  It’s practically like taking vitamins!  (Don’t burst my bubble on this one.)  I’ve already been back to the store once to pick up a couple more squares of the stuff.  And right at this moment, I’m thinking about where I need to go later today and how The Chocolate Shoppe just might be on my way from Point A to Point B....

I mentioned that I indulged in some of Melissa’s chocolate creations at a bridal shower recently .  Bridal showers and weddings are just a couple of the events that The Chocolate Shoppe caters to.  The Shoppe also specializes in corporate events, holiday parties and fund raising activities.  And if you’re looking for a new and different place to hold your child’s next birthday party, The Chocolate Shoppe has reasonable packages that include, among other things, the kiddoes getting to make their very own chocolate-covered creation! 

Finally, I love the success story of The Chocolate Shoppe.  You can read all about it on her website, but basically Melissa turned her talent for making chocolaty treats for friends and family into a successful business venture. 

Whether you have been there before or not, you should stop by soon and treat yourself to something yummy.  After all, doesn’t a little chocolate make everything better?  (Just don’t bogart the Sea Salt Dark Chocolate….)