How did I not know about Macris Chocolate until now?! This place has been hiding in plain sight on…read moremy daily route--and it just might be my new favorite local gem.
I discovered it thanks to their Harvest Party over Labor Day weekend: $42 for live acoustic music, endless wood-fired pizza by Perry Pizza Co., a grand dessert display with seasonal fruits and chocolate fondue, custom-made maple ice cream, complimentary beer and wine, lawn games, laid-back backyard vibes, a sneak peek at their fall chocolate collection, AND an exclusive caramel apple favor to take home. Um...shut up and take my money. I was so in.
The shop itself is gorgeous. The historic stone house has been beautifully redone--warm, inviting, elegant but simple--designed to put all the focus (and all the scent!) on the chocolate. Behind the glass cases? Endless chocolate delights. Freezer? Penn State Creamery ice cream (apparently the only vendor on the West Shore). Shelves? A foodie's dream: teas, jams, jellies, spices, trays, utensils--you name it.
One of the biggest highlights for me: their sugar-free selection. Coconut clusters, vanilla marshmallow, peanut butter, caramel, butter creams, cordial cherries, peppermint patties...the works. For anyone looking for sugar-free sweets locally, this is gold.
The Harvest Party itself was fantastic--wood-fired pizza, hummus, chocolate-fondue-covered desserts, and the star of the show: exclusive Maple Cream Ice Cream by Urban Churn. Sweet, rich maple flavor that made an 80° summer day feel like fall had arrived early. Then came the chocolate caramel apples. Huge. Heavy. Chocolate bliss in every bite.
Their website says, "105 years and three generations of small family business and chocolate expertise." And after this experience, I believe it. Beautiful shop, incredible chocolates, and one hell of a party.
Bonus points: plenty of parking (thanks to the shared strip mall lot), pristine bathrooms, and a beautifully maintained property. Prices are what you'd expect from a family-owned chocolate shop (about $16 for a 9-piece sampler), and worth every penny for the quality.
Now that I know Macris Chocolate exists, I'll be back--often. Can't wait to see what kind of magic they whip up for the holidays!