Help Sweeten Cocoa Mill Chocolate's Growth!
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Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company was born in 1993 in Lexington, Virginia as a local artisan chocolate company to create exquisite, fresh chocolates. Our chocolate success was recognized a decade later by The Wall Street Journal. In a blind taste test by the Journal, our Truffle Heart Box was chosen as the "Best Overall Chocolates", a recognition that catapulted our little shop to fame. The immediate result was that we had to close our doors for three days to make and fill all of the orders!
In June 2006, Hathorn & Dean, LCC (that's us!) purchased Cocoa Mill. We weathered "The Great Recession" that began in 2008 bruised & battered, but still determined. We began ramping up chocolate production so that we could open a second shop in Staunton, Virginia in June of 2011.
As we look and move forward, continued growth is the watchword. We have outgrown our small kitchen and have discovered that limited space and a lack of temperature or humidity control prevent us from always making the chocolates our customers -and we- would like. Since inception, we have been a "by hand" business--all confections are stirred, rolled, dipped, decorated and packaged by hand. While this is a charming concept, we now cannot keep pace with the demands for our products.
Our needs are simple yet essential at this juncture. There is a machine that would revolutionize our production: an Agitator, costing $4000.
Our Executive Chocolatier, Mike, has hand stirred every batch of candy that we have made since 2006. The man's arm needs some relief! This equipment fits onto our copper kettle and stirs the ingredients until each batch is perfectly cooked.
Thank you for your support of our efforts over the years. We are committed to making the best chocolate possible for our customers and our communities. Please help us continue to become the company we all know Cocoa Mill can be!
Here's some more info about us:
Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company began making artisan chocolate confections in 1993. Today, Cocoa Mill revels in its national recognition as a creator of exquisite fair trade chocolates. The Wall Street Journal chose Cocoa Mill's Edible Chocolate Valentine Truffle Heart Box as "Best Overall" above the likes of Godiva, Sees, Harry and David, and others. Additionally, Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company has received many accolades from Bon Appetit, Chocolatier, U.S. Air Magazine, CBS Morning News, The Washington Post, Virginia Living Magazine, Virginia's Finest, WDBJ7 News and many more.
Ever striving for product excellence, Cocoa Mill continues to adhere to the same standards of quality first established over 24 years ago; select non-GMO ingredients including superior fair trade chocolate, dairy-fresh cream and butter, and authentic natural flavors and liqueurs. Cocoa Mill is ever vigilant from product scrutiny to production, packing and shipping. By purchasing Cocoa Mill's Fair Trade Chocolates you can have the peace of mind knowing you've helped developing countries promote sustainable farming and helped them achieve better trade conditions. Rest easy knowing you've improved social and environmental standards by choosing Cocoa Mill’s handmade artisan chocolates. All chocolates are made fresh for each order so you know you will always receive the finest quality confections.
Pure delights are guaranteed in every box of Cocoa Mill Artisan Chocolates; whether you send one gift or one hundred, or you simply want to indulge yourself with your favorite box of chocolates.
In June 2006, Hathorn & Dean, LCC (that's us!) purchased Cocoa Mill. We weathered "The Great Recession" that began in 2008 bruised & battered, but still determined. We began ramping up chocolate production so that we could open a second shop in Staunton, Virginia in June of 2011.
As we look and move forward, continued growth is the watchword. We have outgrown our small kitchen and have discovered that limited space and a lack of temperature or humidity control prevent us from always making the chocolates our customers -and we- would like. Since inception, we have been a "by hand" business--all confections are stirred, rolled, dipped, decorated and packaged by hand. While this is a charming concept, we now cannot keep pace with the demands for our products.
Our needs are simple yet essential at this juncture. There is a machine that would revolutionize our production: an Agitator, costing $4000.
Our Executive Chocolatier, Mike, has hand stirred every batch of candy that we have made since 2006. The man's arm needs some relief! This equipment fits onto our copper kettle and stirs the ingredients until each batch is perfectly cooked.
Thank you for your support of our efforts over the years. We are committed to making the best chocolate possible for our customers and our communities. Please help us continue to become the company we all know Cocoa Mill can be!
Here's some more info about us:
Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company began making artisan chocolate confections in 1993. Today, Cocoa Mill revels in its national recognition as a creator of exquisite fair trade chocolates. The Wall Street Journal chose Cocoa Mill's Edible Chocolate Valentine Truffle Heart Box as "Best Overall" above the likes of Godiva, Sees, Harry and David, and others. Additionally, Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company has received many accolades from Bon Appetit, Chocolatier, U.S. Air Magazine, CBS Morning News, The Washington Post, Virginia Living Magazine, Virginia's Finest, WDBJ7 News and many more.
Ever striving for product excellence, Cocoa Mill continues to adhere to the same standards of quality first established over 24 years ago; select non-GMO ingredients including superior fair trade chocolate, dairy-fresh cream and butter, and authentic natural flavors and liqueurs. Cocoa Mill is ever vigilant from product scrutiny to production, packing and shipping. By purchasing Cocoa Mill's Fair Trade Chocolates you can have the peace of mind knowing you've helped developing countries promote sustainable farming and helped them achieve better trade conditions. Rest easy knowing you've improved social and environmental standards by choosing Cocoa Mill’s handmade artisan chocolates. All chocolates are made fresh for each order so you know you will always receive the finest quality confections.
Pure delights are guaranteed in every box of Cocoa Mill Artisan Chocolates; whether you send one gift or one hundred, or you simply want to indulge yourself with your favorite box of chocolates.
Organizer
Cocoa Mill Chocolate Company
Organizer
Lexington, VA
