The Chocolate Shop moves to new location in Marion

MARION – While finalizing her chocolate shop's move to its new location, co-owner Gae Sharp-Richardson wanted to come up with a clever, efficient way to transfer the candy between the two buildings.

So, she sent out invitations for a “chocolate brigade” to line up and pass boxes of chocolate from the former Temptations Fine Candies location at 1026 Seventh Ave. to The Chocolate Shop location two blocks away at 1244 Seventh Ave.

“This was the best way to get the chocolate here,” she said Monday afternoon during The Chocolate Shop's grand opening.

After the candy was successfully transferred to the new location, members of the “brigade” were treated to chocolate samples and a tour of the new facility.

“I got a tear when the first box came,” Sharp-Richardson said.

Fittingly, the first box transferred was Almond Gaes, named after her, and the last box was the End of the Line chocolates.

Sharp-Richardson and her husband, Deane Richardson, bought Temptations Fine Candies in Atkins seven years ago. The candy made in the Atkins production facility was transported to the Marion retail store.

In June 2010, the Richardsons purchased the former Herren Floor Covering building at 1244 Seventh Ave., Marion, with plans to combine the production facility and retail shop into one space.

The building was gutted and renovated to resemble Grant Wood's painting “Young Corn” with warm brown and green hues.

“The footprint of Marion just got a little bit bigger,” Sharp-Richardson said.

Production in the new facility will begin this week, Deane Richardson said.

“We had a good seven years there (in Atkins), but we're so excited about being here,” he said.

The Chocolate Shop's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.