On July 21st, 2026, L & S Chocolates on East Main Street in Maple Shade, New Jersey, suffered a devastating blow. At about 5:45 p.m., lightning struck the adjacent bakery, causing fire, smoke, excessive water damage, and a ceiling and roof collapse at Julie’s beloved chocolate store. The destruction forced L & S Chocolates to close its doors, leaving the community without a cherished gathering place.

Julie, the owner, poured her blood, sweat, and tears into building L & S Chocolates from the ground up. Everything she had went into making the store a place where neighbors could find candy supplies, baking essentials, beautiful decor, edible printables, and custom chocolate orders—from simple pretzels to intricate 3D figures like a 10-inch guitar centerpiece. Her dedication made L & S Chocolates a staple in the neighborhood, a place everyone loved to visit.

With your support, we can help Julie repair the store, replace lost equipment, restock supplies, and give her the encouragement she needs to come back stronger. Our community has always rallied around those in need, and now it’s time to help Julie rebuild L & S Chocolates bigger and better than ever. Please join us in supporting her dreams and bringing joy back to Main Street in Maple Shade.

I met Julie a few months ago, and we quickly became close friends—sisters through Jesus. We pray together, support each other, and never lose faith, even in the hardest times. Julie is a remarkable businesswoman, and right now she’s trying to hold it all together emotionally and physically, but she needs our help. The fire and water damage destroyed all of her equipment and inventory, much of which is expensive to replace. The emotional toll is heavy, but Julie’s determination to rebuild is inspiring. For more information, you can see coverage from 6 ABC News, NJ.com, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Julie’s Facebook Reel from July 25th, 2026. Every contribution will help Julie recover and bring L & S Chocolates back to the community she loves.