X-cellent chocolate & X-cellent service! The owner of this 1997 franchise is Bryan, whom I accidentally captured in one of my shots-- my apologies, Sir. (He'd prefer not to be photographed.)
I was dragged into this sweet shoppe, but ended up leaving w/ close to $23 in creamy creations-- just before returning to spend an additional $9. (Almost two weeks later I returned to the area again & stopped in-- spending $74. The quality & taste are addictive!)
Some background trivia: The original Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory opened in Durango, Colorado in 1981. Currently, the franchise can be found in four countries & the Arab Emirates. 40 varities of ice-cream are made. Locations today offer vegan dark chocolate & vegan fudge, & a gluten-free milk chocolate truffle.
I absolutely loved everything I brought home! The $3.50 milk & white chocolate-covered strawberries were OUT OF THIS WORLD. I shared mine after buying 4. (They were buy 3, get one free.) The berries were large & sweet. The chocolate was INCREDIBLE! The Tiger Butter Apple (see pic) was beautiful & delectable, although I've been very good & enjoyed just one bite. But the biggest surprise was the fudge.
I can honestly say I've NEVER loved any fudge that I've bought @ a candy shoppe--- never. Until NOW! The Chocolate Pecan fudge was not soft like all previous fudge; rather, the texture was semi-soft -- just pure confectionary PERFECTION! It was slightly grainy, the way my self-taught chocolatier grandfather (1901) perfected fudge. And the rich chocolate combined w/ pecans was melt-in-your-mouth heavenly-- although it's my mouth & I ain't sharing:) Seriously, this chocolate shoppe sells some SERIOUSLY GOOD chocolate!
The variety of confections offered is EXTENSIVE-- see pics! There were chocolate-covered fruits; chocolate bark; chocolate marshmallow; truffles & sugar-free truffles; fudge; Divinity; cake pops; pecan pralines; white, milk, & dark chocolates; cookies & chocolate-covered cookies; chocolate pretzels; chocolate Rice Krispy squares; cocolate-covered toffees; toffee & chocolate popcorn; chocolate-covered coffee beans; chocolate Graham crackers; chocolate covered nuts; & chocolate-covered bananas, etc...just a MULTITUDE of varieties to suit EVERY palette. The many different chocolate covered apples & the beauty of each creation had my head spinning (& my mouth watering)! That is why I returned.
The shoppe was spotless. The moment too many customers entered, owner Bryan summoned extra help from the back. He was so outwardly thankful to those patronizing his establishment. We spoke briefly & he continued to thank me for stopping in. He mentioned how difficult it's been the last few months, & that business friends of his had watched as their small businesses went under.
I do not suggest you venture out to try Bryan's chocolate culinary creations because he's had a rough few months. I am STRONGLY suggesting you drop in-- but only if you LOVE fine chocolate. I'm telling you-- we bought some DELICIOUS chocolate today. It wasn't cheap, but it was WELL WORTH THE PRICE!
Thank you, Bryan. read more