USA | Chicago’s chocolate lovers are in for a treat as Hotel Chocolat, the renowned UK-based chocolatier, has opened two new retail stores in the city’s vibrant Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighbourhoods.
Bringing together the world of chocolate luxury and sustainable cocoa farming, the stores will feature a groundbreaking range of Hotel Chocolat offerings as well as their industry-leading hot chocolate machine, the Velvetiser, which makes chocolatier-crafted hot chocolate flakes at the touch of a button.
The two new retail locations will offer a unique immersive experience, fusing premium chocolate gifting with the beloved Velvetiser Café. The backdrop of the new stores will be adorned with over 100 recipes in the Hotel Chocolat iconic “Wall of Chocolate”, with flavours ranging from fruity Lemon Curd, spicy Chilli and Maple and nutty Praline.
“Hotel Chocolat is on a mission to reinvent chocolate globally - transforming the way it is enjoyed with unique formats and flavours,” said Angus Thirlwell, President and Founder of Hotel Chocolat.
“We are delighted to bring Hotel Chocolat to the vibrant city of Chicago and introduce a new kind of elevated chocolate experience for people to fall in love with.”
The stores will also be home to the beloved Velvetiser Café, serving the brand’s signature drinking chocolate in eighteen irresistible flavours, such as Black Forest Gateau and Salted Caramel.
For the truly chocolate-obsessed, consumers can also add a drizzle of liquid chocolate (on tap) to their ice cream or baked goods for a taste experience unlike any they’ve ever had.
Locals will also be immersed in limitless gifting options for loved ones, including the “Hotel Chocolate Sleekster”, which contains 27 of the most iconic chocolates.
The new locations will offer consumers an immersive experience of everything that Hotel Chocolat offers, including the opportunity to learn more about the brand’s gentle farming initiatives and what it takes to grow sustainable cacao.
“At Hotel Chocolat, we’re obsessed with having a deep understanding of flavour, individual tastes and consumer preference,” said Kelly Goering, General Manager, Hotel Chocolat US.
“The Chicago debut of our retail stores are bringing an uplifting and inventive chocolate experience to fans, through unique offerings like our 'Wall of Chocolat' with 100 different tastings to try, along with an unmatched gifting selection and seasonal favorites just in time for spring.”
Chicagoans will be thrilled to learn that Hotel Chocolat will collaborate with local partners on additional cafe and retail offerings. These include James Beard Award-winning chef Greg Wade and his popular Publican Quality Bread, who will be crafting an impressive pastry lineup, including a custom must-try banana bread and other signature baked goods. Metric Coffee and Spirit Tea will be responsible for the cafe’s lattes, cold brews, matcha and tea offerings.
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