Page 17 - Indulge December 2017
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“People come back and tell us they Photo courtesy of Dolce Patisserie
came with their parents as kids, and now
they bring their children and even their colored nonpareils. This year, they’re rolling
grandchildren,” says Mink. “Some of our out candy-filled Santas and snowmen that are
customers over the years, we’ve gotten sure to be a hit. The store will run extended
to know them and their family members hours for the holiday season, but Messman
and their hobbies, and the places they go stresses that the store is open as long as
on vacation. It’s much more personal to there are customers in it, and nobody is
us than to where you’re just another face turned away at the door if they approach the
in the crowd. Our stand is very service- door before the store is ready to open, or has
oriented. People can customize whatever already closed. To check on seasonal hours,
they want in chocolates, candy, licorice customers should check the store’s website or
and sugar-free candy.” social media.
Photo courtesy of Chocodiem Chocolate Works “Our goal is to not only have a store, but
4773 Freemansburg Ave., Easton to be part of the community,” says Messman.
original spot. It is a chocolate and candy chocolateworks.com/lehigh-valley-pa “We put a piece of chocolate in everyone’s
stand where customers go for sweets and hand when they walk through the door. People
a little bit of nostalgia, as Mink’s is also The experience of eating chocolate can be appreciate that we remember their face, what
the only local location where you’re likely a treat for the senses. For the last two years, they were here for, and we go the extra mile
to find vintage candies that are becoming there has been an experiential chocolate to make sure that what they purchase is a
more scarce with the passing of time. This shop in the Lehigh Valley that actually takes hit. To me, that’s what becoming part of the
is especially true for several items available that a step further and gives their customers community is all about.”
just for the holiday season. the “hands on” treatment. Want to host a
corporate team building where everyone Dolce Patisserie
“For the holiday season, we have makes chocolate? How about a girls’ night out 23 Main St., Hellertown
a peppermint bark that has pieces of with your closest friends, or a child’s birthday dolcepatisserie.com
peppermint candy canes in a white chocolate party where everyone surrounds the chocolate
bark, but it can also be milk chocolate. White fountain to dip their snacks? You can do all of All it takes is one bite of any of the
chocolate is the most popular. We also have this and more at Chocolate Works in Easton, chocolates or confections at Dolce Patisserie
a lot of hard candy items,” says Rodney Mink, which is part store and part customized- to understand why chef and business owner
who co-owns the business that his father creation center with an endless amount of Alan Pitotti won Food Network’s “Sweet
started. “We have the clear toy candy in both chocolate projects to choose from. During the Genius” several years ago. Pitotti is a master
lollipops and individual pieces, and that’s in holiday season, it becomes a place where you at his craft, and his chocolates are as pleasing
red, yellow and green. We also have ribbon can buy a gift, create a gift or give the gift of a to the eyes as they are to the taste buds.
candy, peach blossoms and chocolate straws. chocolate experience. Show one of his signature marbled chocolates
These items are all traditionally holiday items.” to any chocolate lover across the Valley, and
“Some people come in looking for a very they’d probably instantly be able to say that it
Though Mink’s carries more than specific item or have something in mind. We came from Dolce Patisserie.
400 different items their most popular customize, and if we don’t have what they’re
product has remained unchanged over the looking for, we work with them to make sure — continued on page 18 —
years: their peanut roll, which is a vanilla we ultimately have the gifts they want. We’ll
buttercream dipped in chocolate and rolled customize anything we have here,” says owner
in nuts, started as an Easter item. The recipe Pat Messman, who runs the store along with
is exclusive to Mink’s. For about 30 years his wife, Kelly. “Sometimes people come in
now, due to client demand, the peanut roll and are looking for a gift and end up doing a
has been sold from Thanksgiving through project because they don’t realize that we’re
Easter, and is a favorite to pick up around an experiential store. We try to do our best to
the holidays when former locals come back interact with every single person who walks
to visit the Lehigh Valley. It is all part of the through the door to make sure they have a
tradition that keeps the shop connected to gourmet experience.”
its customers.
Like other chocolate stores, Chocolate
Works offers seasonal flavors and products,
such as Peppermint Bark and different
December 2017 • indulgE LV | 17
