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Shopping
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Wine
Chocolate lovers rejoice!
Chocoholics in Clements drizzles on perfection with factory tour, retail store
When you step into the Chocoholics retail store in Clements, you know you're in the right place.
The smell of chocolate fills the room, and almost everything for sale is made with chocolate. Truffles, sauces, games, mood chocolates, seasonal candies, chocolate pasta, candles with mouth-watering chocolate aroma, lip gloss and more.
And, if that's not enough, from inside the store, people may take a self-guided tour of the factory or arrange for a guided tour.
The factory in Clements has been open for two years, and the retail store has been open for a year. It relocated from Stockton, and the retail shop is in the renovated Oddfellows Hall along Highway 88, which was built in 1917.
The owners, Mary and Ernie Schenone, of Linden, started Chocoholics in 1995 after buying a chocolate shop in Eureka, where chocolate dessert sauces were made. These sauces continue to be best-sellers for the company, coming in a variety of flavors such as espresso, chocolate macadamia, chocolate raspberry, Jamaican rum and more.
They introduced chocolate body frosting, and it took off, being featured in magazines such as Vogue; so the company created other sensual items like games with chocolate.
"We do as much as we can with chocolate," Mary Schenone said.
On the tour, people can learn about where chocolate comes from, how it is made and its history, as well as see the different stages of production. When the factory is not in operation, visitors can view the process on TV screens down the hallway. The busy season is August through Valentine's Day.
"We give lots of history and fun facts that kids really enjoy," Mary Schenone said.
Large windows allow visitors to see the different processes.
In the first area, 60-gallon kettles are used to mix ingredients for chocolate sauce. Sauce is pumped into funnels and put into jars, which are then sealed and labeled. Creme Brulee bakery in Stockton relocated to Clements, and bakers make pastries and cakes there, some of which are sold in the retail store. They can be seen in the first area as well.
Specialty items are made in the production room. Melting and tempering machines keep chocolate at the perfect temperature and consistency for chocolate-dipped spoons. Chocolatiers put chocolates into molds to create seasonal chocolates. They also do custom decorating.
The last room is used for shipping and production.
The tours are popular for schools. After the tours, children get to dip Rice Krispy treats into chocolate and decorate them. Tours can be done with dessert or with lunch and dessert.
The company has received accolades in Inc. 500 magazine in 2001 and 2003 for its growth as a private company by 600 percent and 300 percent, respectively.
Chocoholics is located at 18819 E. Highway 88, Clements. It is open seven days a week. For information, call 759-3320 or visit http://www.gourmetchocolate.com.