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February 4, 2025
Where to buy local chocolates this Valentine’s Day
Shop for your special someone from these Charlotte chocolatiers
by TM Petaccia
Buying locally crafted chocolates for Valentine’s Day is a thoughtful and delicious way to show love to your special someone while also showing your love for the city’s independent small businesses. Here’s a list of our favorites.
Former D.C. pastry chef Justin Fry is now firmly established in Charlotte as one of the city’s leading confectioners, winning Charlotte Magazine’s 2024 BOB Award for Best Chocolate Shop, even though he has no brick-and-mortar operation. His website offers a long list of Valentine’s appropriate confections, including a heart-shaped version of the trending Dubai chocolate. You’ll also find heart-shaped tins filled with dark chocolate fudge squares with caramelized cocoa nibs, and a large “smashable” dark chocolate heart, filled with a cinnamon-habanero truffle. Other goodies include spiced rum-soaked cherry cordials, peppermint hot chocolate bombs, white, milk, and dark pentagon-shaped chocolate bars, and the UP favorite — the milk chocolate bar filled with caramel. Order online for delivery in the Charlotte area or Friday/Saturday pick-up at Savory Spice Shop in South End.
Chocolatier Barrucand, Concord
Husband-and-wife Jean Luc and Ann Marie Barrucand team fully embrace the Valentine’s season with traditional red heart-shaped boxes filled with assorted bonbons and truffles, large heart-shaped chocolate bars, confectionery roses, and other romantic sweets. Purchase at the shop.
Marvin’s Confections
Another online-only venture, although chocolatier Marvin Lynch does keep a pretty vigorous pop-up schedule throughout the city. His offerings run from traditional heart-shaped bonbons to a striking collection of “fine art” chocolates to the whimsical “hearts & skulls” collection. He does ship nationwide, which makes him a great option for those distant sweethearts. Order online.
Potts Chocolate, Uptown
Located in Brevard Court, Potts is an easy destination for anyone working Uptown. You’ll find classic truffles, espresso truffles, salted caramels, breezies (hazelnut-stuffed chocolates), as well as assortment boxes. You can even sign up your exceptional loved one for a three or six-month truffle club subscription. Order online or purchase at the shop.
The Secret Chocolatier, Cotswold
Since 2008, the chocolate shop has served over 75,000 Queen City chocophiles. This year’s Valentine’s Day collection includes white chocolate roses, Valentine’s cherries, Valentine’s box assortments, special gift bags, and a special dairy-free gift set. Order online or shop at the store.
The Underground Truffle, Plaza Midwood
Made using organic cacao, The Underground Truffle offers a selection of chocolate bars — including a beautiful orange dark cocoa, crunchy dark, and salted dark — heart-shaped white chocolate bonbons, drinking chocolate, and other confections. Order online or at the shop by appointment.
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UNPRETENTIOUS PALATE is a digital publication covering food and drink in Charlotte. At UP, you’ll find ethical food journalism that isn’t based on free meals. We’ll be your taste testers around the city, letting you know where you can’t miss and where to skip. And we’ll ban any condescending food-writer speak. We’ll tell you the dishes we love, where to go on date night, and the best places for cocktails. You can trust us.
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