Chocolate-covered Swedish fish anyone⢠Chocolate-covered potato chips⢠Chocolate-covered cashews⢠These are just a few of the many delicious and unique creations available at the new location of Colebrook Chocolate Co. in Martin's Plaza in Connellsville.
The decision to open a retail location for the locally owned company has followed many years of candy-making for fundraising and wholesale.
"The business grew and we were busting at the seams at our original location," co-owner Susan Coleman said. "It was just time. It was long overdue."
Now the whole operation is at the Widewaters Development on Vanderbilt Road, occupying more than 3,000 square feet.
The company started more than 20 years ago when Jeff and Rosemary Brooks bought the former Brenda Jo Candy Co. and house from Earl May, who was well-established in the candy-making business in this area. John and Susan Coleman moved back home to Connellsville in 1997 from California. John Coleman did his MBA project on the candy company and the two then became interested in partnering with Susan Coleman's brother Jeff and his wife, Rosemary.
"We joined them and officially changed the name in 1998," Susan Coleman said.
The Colebrook name came from a group of family members brainstorming ideas.
Young Sam Brooks, son of Jeff and Rosemary, shouted out the combination of the two last names of the family partners -- Jeff and Rosemary Brooks and John and Susan Coleman. He threw out the Colebrook pairing and everyone thought it was a creative idea and sounded good. It took time to establish name recognition, though. They were all working other jobs. The business was secondary and it was growing.
"Jeff is the master candy-maker with the love of the trade," Susan Coleman said. "He likes the craft. He enjoys talking with other chocolatiers for their ideas. John and I take no credit for recipes or anything like that. We came in after the fact."
Many novelty items are bought wholesale in bulk and packaged at the store, such as gummies and jellies.
"They are just something we like to have for kids and people who love them, because it's a candy store," she said. "They are nice to use in baskets. We are a chocolate manufacturer. We focus on chocolate. We use the best, Peter's Ultra Chocolate. It's the finest. There is no other like it. It's the milkiest and the creamiest and the best that you can buy."
Daniel Peter invented milk chocolate in 1875.
There are many unique items at the Colebrook Chocolate Co. The taffy is from California and not like boardwalk taffy.
Gourmet malted milk balls come in red, green, white, pink and blue. Gumdrops, fruit slices, gummie bears and worms, neon sour gummie worms, petite teeny weeny jelly beans are all available. Special occasion favors and party trays are popular. Gift baskets can range from simple to over-the-top elaborate. Personalization of chocolate and ribbon are often requested. It is best to order early when artwork is to be used.
The chocolate previously had been sold only prepackaged, now customers can walk in the store and buy just one piece of anything they would like; choose a few pieces of many different items; or buy by the pound. There is a lot more variety than just what is in a Colebrook Chocolate assorted box.
Peanut butter meltaways are Colebrook's signature piece, and the company now has peanut butter meltaway crispies. Roclairs are very popular, too.
"We've gotten real creative and made things we never had the opportunity to before," Susan Coleman said.
Fundraisers and wholesale are still offered by the business. The candy fundraisers are popular because there are no restrictions on minimum sales. Groups can sell $100 to thousands and all receive 35 percent for their organization.
This is a busy time of year. Customers are ordering baskets, trays and novelty items for family get-togethers, friends, co-workers and clients. Sugar-free chocolate also is sold. There are roasted salted cashews that are not coated for those who want to give a beautifully packaged gift of nuts. Others are on the way.
"We thought we would be open by Nov. 1, but the date got pushed back," Susan Coleman said. "There were things we wanted to do -- painting and more. We will hold a grand opening at a later date. Of course, Valentine's Day and Easter will come fast after Christmas, and now that we've expanded into retail, we don't know quite what to expect."
Niece Leah Delmar is the retail manager. Friends and family are the employees of the business.
"Customers will find so much to choose from when they stop in," Delmar said. "We have peppermint bark with white or dark chocolate and a wonderful assortment of truffles. The selection of chocolate-covered nuts includes cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts, macadamia and filberts. There are different kinds of fudge from day to day, including pumpkin pie fudge, peanut butter, Reeses, Mallo Cup, vanilla caramel, maple walnut, chocolate walnut, chocolate and vanilla. There are apricots and pineapple covered in chocolate, and the sugar-free assortment is purchased by many people. Our chocolate is sold at ArtWorks in downtown Connellsville and other locations nearby."
Colebrook Chocolate Co. is on Facebook. Its website is www.colebrookchocolate.com , and the phone number is 724-628-8383. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
