By Lisa Carolin
Chocolate covered strawberries, brownies, truffles, and a chocolate frosted chocolate cake were among the chocolate goodies offered up by merchants in Chelsea on Saturday, Feb. 6.
It was the eighth year of the city’s Chocolate and Shopping Extravaganza, and it was nearly impossible to find a business that wasn’t handing out chocolates.
The Common Grill had complimentary Hot Chocolate, Vogel’s and Foster’s had chocolate cookies, and Attic Boutique had chocolate cherry bonbons.
At Bumble’s Dry Goods, there were orange peels dipped in dark chocolate as well as dipped strawberries.
“This is a way to treat people,” said Carolyn McNagny, owner of Bumble’s. “It’s a way of giving back.”
At La Jolla Fine Jewelry, customers were greeted with complimentary roses and invited to help themselves to a table full of truffles and fine chocolates.
Owner Curtis Gough said, “We get to do this once a year. It’s great for the City of Chelsea, and it’s such a beautiful day.”
“The Chocolate Extravaganza brings people to town,” said Marilyn Jachalke, sales associate at Global Marketplace, who baked brownies to share. “People come in and hang out with us. It’s like a party.”
It was an ideal day for businesses to celebrate grand openings and milestone anniversaries as well.
Garden Mill has been in the process of redesigning the store and had just reopened.
Mule Skinner Boots moved to a new location – 112 Main St. — and celebrated the day with a band and a live broadcast from WAAM radio.
At Seitz’s Tavern, owner Randy Seitz gave out pieces of chocolate birthday cake to celebrate 100 years in business.
