When I asked owner Susan Fine of the Walnut Street cocoa boutique, The Chocolate Path, what were her personal favorite items in the store, she steered me to two: the Kaka’wa Cocoa Beans (fresh roasted whole cocoa beans in layers of white, milk and dark chocolate and cocoa powder) and Chocopologie’s Burnt Caramel & Hawaiian Sea Salt bar, which she described as chocolate “crack.” She also advised that people eat a small square of dark chocolate every day for its health benefits (portion control guide in photo above). However, just so you know, she says milk chocolate won’t do the same. “The milk content in the chocolate negates the beneficial qualities of the cocoa.”
Fine, who has decided to close the retail space after running her business from the charming storefront for around 2 years, says the news isn’t at all bad. “I’m going back to my roots,” she explained. “While retail sales have been slow, my web-based business is doing very well. I started out doing events and internet orders and am happy to operate this way again.”
As a chocolate lover who was distressed by the lack of quality goods out here in Baristaville when she moved to the area from New York almost 7 years ago, Fine decided to take matters into her own hands. “I would go to NY and come home with a big supply of my favorite chocolates,” she explained. “I never envisioned myself running a chocolate business back when I was in college, but here I am.”
The Chocolate Path’s lease is up at the end of June. Fine says there are no problems with her landlord nor any dramatic, scandalous story behind her closing. “It’s all good,” she said.
Fine has promotions and events planned — including a Chocolate Tango evening on June 3 at 7:30 p.m. (tango lessons interspersed with dark chocolate tastings). She’ll do specials for Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and then go virtual. For local folks, Fine will offer delivery service and continue to do events.
By the way, as any good reporter would have done, I purchased Fine’s 2 favorite items in order to try them myself — strictly in the name of good hyper local journalism (and no, I didn’t also do this with the hookahs at Al Bazar). I’m thrilled to join the ranks of Fine’s “crack” addicts and can report that the Chocopologie’s Burnt Caramel & Hawaiian Sea Salt bar is as incredible as she claimed. I guess I’ll have to order mine online from now on. Haven’t tried the Cocoa Beans yet. One deliciously sinful thing at a time…
Noooooo! I love this place.
Best of luck!
I love anything to do with chocolate and they have some of the more interesting varieties…see you online.
I’d like to go on record stating that chocolate is something I can gladly live without, unless it has shredded coconut inside, and an almond or two.
Hence, the only candy bar I’d ever eat is an Almond Joy, and once a year is more than plenty for me.
And Martta, you thought our biggest disagreement had something to do with American politics…..
A WONDERFUL place and – along with many others – will follow the store and its magnificent, edible treasures to the web! Sounds like fun events planned in the closing months. The Montclair brick and mortar retail scene will miss a classy and informative shopkeep like this one.
Even though I’m more of a milk chocolate than a dark chocolate fan, I love this store. I’ve had baskets made up for family and friends that were received with much enthusiasm. I will miss this place!
It’s Lindt 99% cocoa for me or really any dark chocolate 85% or more. Terrific with a glass of Shiraz.
This is/was a go-to place for gifts and special treats for friends-in-need. I’m glad to know that it’ll still be easy to let her do my chocolate searching for me, but I’ll miss browsing and smelling and chatting with the owner.
Why have I never heard of this place until now? Am I the last hermit on earth who never ventures past the well-worn path to the bus stop in the morning and back in the evening? The only establishments I know about in Montclair are the Y, the Bellevue Ave. library, and Starbucks on Valley Road. Oh, and the dry cleaners. Now that I mention it, can anyone recommend a good mani-pedi place?
This store sounds lovely (though I must admit the combination of chocolate and tango gives me pause). But Susan Fine sounds like a doll, and I wish her well.
Moi aussi, mon ami! Mystere et boule de gum!
Had I known of this place, I’m guessing that my patronage alone could have made the rent. I’m not quite sure how I missed it, but then again I mowed six pedestrians down during the latest crosswalk sting. I’m distracted, especially when texting.
But I will search them out on the web, for certain.
I’m disaapointed that The Chocolate Path is closing. I like buying dark chocolate with pistachios for my mom there. Will definitely try the Burnt Caramel and Sea Salt Bar….what time does the store open tomorrow? Yum!
If this was a story about a chocolate labrador retriever animal shelter closing the public outrage would be enough to shutdown meetings. As it is, we’re just a town of cocoa haters. Coffee beans–you’re next.
I am so happy for Susan. And you should definitely try those chocolate covered cocoa beans. I am absolutely addicted!!!!
We will be displaying our goodies next Saturday and I couldn’t resist buying some chocolate as a raffle prize as well as a huge bag of them for myself!!
I really wish Susan and The Chocolate Path all the best and I look forward to us working together in the future!!
“…a chocolate labrador retriever animal shelter.”
My dream job!
I bought the Burnt Caramel and Hawaiian Sea Salt bar today. Ah mon Dieu!! Ce chocolat est absolument delicieux!!
Yeah, magicwoman… I told Susan Fine that she created another addict in me. I guess I’ve got company. Next time we can get together and share a bar.
Sorry, but when it comes to chocolate bars from the Chocolate Path, I’m like a little kid cause i don’t play well (or share) with others. On the bright side, I’m hoping she sells at Bloomfield’s Harvest Fest the last week end in September.