Chilmark Chocolates sold its final box on Wednesday — closing the door on an Island institution that has endured as a singular business for more than three decades.</p>
Chilmark Chocolates sold its final box on Wednesday — closing the door on an Island institution that has endured as a singular business for more than three decades.
As had been the case for the past three weeks, cars were backed up to Beetlebung Corner and a line spilled out the door as people clamored to claim a final taste of their favorites.
Line stretched out the door Wednesday as it has for the past three weeks..
Line stretched out the door Wednesday as it has for the past three weeks..
“I’m getting a big box, my mom is getting a big box and my grandparents are getting a little box,” exclaimed eight-year-old Oceana Arroya Dias from the line outside the door.
As dusk fell, many of the trays in the display case were left with only chocolate crumbs and the lines began to thin, leaving mainly the workers and owners to reflect.
Store co-owner owner Allison Burger stood in the back pressing crushed almonds onto chocolate covered toffee — the final step of their signature almond butter crunch.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” she said, gesturing to the splotches of chocolates at the bottom of the tempering pot. “It’s a sad moment. . . we’re very grateful.”
Ms. Burger said while she will miss the customers, she worried a little about the employees — many of whom have a variety of disabilities. It has long been part of the store’s unique business model to train and employ people with disabilities.
“Hopefully there are a lot of opportunities on the Island for the variety of people that work here,” she said.
Mccaull Reid, who was confined to wheelchair after a moped accident and has since regained the ability to walk, talk and eat on his own, said working at the store helped give him a new start.
“I was in a wheelchair when I started working here seven years ago,” he said. “They had the patience here to help people like me and have given me the confidence to recover.”
Alexander Campbell, who is responsible for stocking and working the cash register, said he will miss his co-workers.
“I feel sad because I’ve gotten to know everyone here really well . . . but I got my Forrest Gump impression down,” he said.
Stories floated in the air. There was the time a chocolate lab broke into the store. Someone recalled the tree that was planted by Albert (Ozzie) Fisher Jr. on opening day that has since grown into a towering pine.
“End of an era, huh?” was a phrase heard throughout the day.
And while the doors officially closed at 4:30 — they opened twice more to allow in a handful of stragglers — though only dark cranberry, mixed dark caramel and almond butter crunch remained in the display case.
The final box of chocolates was sold to Janice Brown.
“We’re so appreciative of everything they have done,” she said as she walked out the door. “I’m very happy for them, but it’s very sad for the rest of the Island.”
Comments
My family and I have enjoyed
Peter Crisona Newark, DelawareMy family and I have enjoyed these goodies for 30+ years, and admired the opportunities the owners provided to individuals with special needs. I remember also ordering the chocolates and having them delivered.
We will miss you!
Tonight I will pull out the
Garri Saganenko Pan-VineyardTonight I will pull out the N64 from underneath my bed and play Choco Mountain—the famed Flower Cup course in Mario Kart 64–in honor of Chilmark Chocolates.
I will miss their chocolates.
AnneI will miss their chocolates. But more than anything I am sad for their employees with special needs. Where will they work? What additional supports do they now need? It is discouraging to see the numerous accolades for Chilmark Chocolates with minimal recognition of the profound impact on their employees. It would be so helpful, Vineyard Gazette, if you could devote some space to them and the organizations trying to help. And then lets step back from our chocolate indulgences and perhaps give the price of a box to Island organizations now needing to support even more people.
Dear Chilmark Chocolate
Cindy New Haven, CTDear Chilmark Chocolate Friends... You don't know me, but I know you! You have been nourishing our family for years and years, with chocolate and kindness. We especially admire your commitment to honoring so many of the gifted island residents with meaningful work in a caring and respectful environment. We wish you happiness and joy as you go into your next chapter. Thanks for the memories. Godspeed!
Thank you for the years of
Ken Schoenberg EdgartownThank you for the years of work you put into your business. Great products, friendly service, and reasonable prices. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
I’m going to voice an opinion
Chilmark chocolate lover West TisburyI’m going to voice an opinion I hope does not offend anyone. But I wonder if anyone else has thought the same thing….
I think the owners have certainly earned the right to walk away from the business on their own terms. And I think there is merit in ending on a high note and not wanting to be bothered with selling to a new owner.
But I can’t help but wonder why this wonderful business, that has brought so much joy to customers and employees are like, couldn’t be sold to new owners so the Chilmark chocolate tradition could continue.
Again, I think the owners have more than earned the right to ride off into the sunset. But surely there must be potential buyers out there who would continue their legacy by producing these world-class chocolate while also giving jobs to so many deserving people.
Im sure this comment may rub some people the wrong way (which is why I posted anonymously).
But I just can’t help but wonder if there was, or possibly still is, some way this amazing business can continue.
Maybe just wishful thinking....
Or perhaps the same business
Belac Llewdlac SloveniaOr perhaps the same business model, same staffing model, different island location, different name? It was such a wonderful, winning business. All the best to the now former owners...
Check out Salt Rock Chocolate
Ed EdgartownCheck out Salt Rock Chocolate Co on Facebook. They should be looked at as the the next generation of Chilmark Chocolates. The Flanders sisters have been training under Chilmark Chocolates for two years.
To sell the business outright would really just be selling the name and recipes without any assurances that things would be the same. New owners couldn’t operate in the same building, since it’s a home business of the current owners. Maybe they wouldn’t even stay in Chilmark.
I think the only thing worse than them closing would be for them to sell the business and have the brand suffer. I’d rather hear “I miss Chilmark Chocolates” than hear “Chilmark Chocolates stinks now.”
C.C.L. - I AGREE WITH YOU 100
Chilmark Chocolate DevoteeC.C.L. - I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. To shut it down completely with no chance for ongoing legacy is unfair. . Okay, you’re tired and want to retire. After 30 beautiful years, I get it. But please reconsider. Let someone else carry on. To cut us off from future Chilmark Chocolate joy is like withholding manna from Heaven. Your chocolate is better than any other and deserves to be preserved. Chilmark Chocolates is pure Love.This chocolate can help to heal the world. Give Love a chance to continue! Please..we are begging you.
It's not like selling the car
Bob AnywhereIt's not like selling the car where you just get in and drive away..they would have to have trained somebody for a year that alone is a job.. I can see why they just shut the doors.. all the best
I’m sorry but I just don’t
Chilmark Chocolate Lover West TisburyI’m sorry but I just don’t agree. By your logic any popular business could never be sold, out of fear the new owners would not maintain the same standards or level of quality as the previous owners. You have to understand my previous comment was not one made out of anger, it’s made out of admiration and love for this business. Love for the chocolate they make, love for the people they employ, love for everything they stand for. As an island we seem to lose more and more of our traditions every year. I only said what I said in hope this beloved institution that brings so much joy to so many people may continue in some form. There is so much hate in our world right now, is it wrong to want to hold on to something that creates as much love as this business and their amazing chocolates a little longer?
The closing of Chilmark
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburyThe closing of Chilmark Chocolates is indeed a sad occasion, but it's easier to take because we know that Salt Rock Chocolates, masterminded by the Flanders sisters, will rise in 2020. (I contributed to their Kickstarter campaign because I've got my own chocolate-loving self-interest at heart.)
I was one of the summer
Cynthis Dean NY stateI was one of the summer workers for almost 30 years.It's sad that Chilmark Chocolates is now close,but I will cherish the many memorizes I shared with Mary Beth, Allison and my coworkers over the years. Mary Beth Grady and Allison Burger were the best bosses I ever had, I wish all bosses could be like them.
Thank you very sincerely for
Damon vickers ChilmarkThank you very sincerely for making such wonderful chocolates, helping people’s lives , and making my life sweeter
Inconsolable. I don’t know
Martha MageeInconsolable. I don’t know when Ive ever been so upset about anything.
Yes sad. But instead of
Bob Davidson Canton CTYes sad. But instead of mourning there closing let’s turn it in to something positive. Put a donation box out by the road and have past customers drop their candy money in and donate it to “4ocean” .I would suggest to Ben and Jerry’s they name an ice cream after them ... “Chilly Chunk” and also send a percentage of profit to the same.
I am so disappointed, my
Marlee Swales Bradenton Florida, but born on MVI am so disappointed, my favorite chocolate place, but changes are always unavoidable
It doesn’t have to be the end
EmilyIt doesn’t have to be the end. That’s a choice. Someone else, some special person with a heartfelt team, equally as devoted, could carry on in a new way. The recipes are pure gold. Dpn’t let them die. To deprive people of this wonderful chocolate for generations to come is to withhold happiness. In today’s bitter world, we need that sweetness and comfort. Please, Chilmark Chocolates, reconsider passing the torch.
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