Up until now, you could only find Harlem Chocolate Factory's handcrafted chocolate bars and truffles at various pop-ups and events like Harlem Eat Up. But that's all about to change–and soon.
Image via Harlem Chocolate Factory
Harlem Chocolate Factory's first shop is two weeks away from opening its doors, according a worker readying the storefront at 2363 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard.
That means by Valentine's Day we should all be able to indulge in chocolatier Jessica Spaulding's Harlem-inspired confections. Offerings include Smoked Sea Salt Toffee Bark, Champagne on Striver's Row chocolate bars, and truffles in flavors like Banana Pudding, Sweet Potato Pie and Red Velvet.
The store joins a handful of other new businesses clustered on a two-block stretch from 137th to 139th Street, spanning stately Striver's Row and The Renny. The latter is a mixed-use building that made news when it replaced the historic-but-unsalvageable Renaissance Ballroom (small diamonds that ring the bottom part of the facade are meant to be a nod to the former event space).
The new wave started about four years ago with the arrival of Ponty Bistro, a charming corner spot blending French and West African cuisine, and Hyacinth's Haven, a Jamaican-American bar and restaurant. Then came neighborhood lounge Harlem Nights, followed by boutique cycling studio Harlem Cycle, the 12-seat chef's table Belle, and gay-friendly bar Alibi.
Soon it won't be a stretch to imagine spending your whole day on the two-block strip, starting with a workout in the morning and ending with a post-dinner truffle.
Or should it be the other way around?
