North Fork Chocolate Company to Open Valentine's Day in Aquebogue
North Fork Chocolate Company, a small business that got its start at Stony Brook University’s Calverton Business Incubator, is opening a permanent location in Aquebogue soon.
The chocolatier will open at 740 Main Road, which was formerly home to Esprit de France.
“It’s just really a great location,” says co-owner Ann Corley, of Baiting Hollow, who started North Fork Chocolate Company with chef Steven Amaral. Corley says the area gets heavy traffic and is adjacent to the Borghese Vineyard Annex tasting room. “Chocolate and wine go great,” she says, adding that she appreciates being across the road from Woodside Orchards and Tom Schaudel‘s The Petulant Wino.
Corley and Amaral began making 4-inch pies and 3-inch cakes at the Calverton Business Incubator’s commercial shared kitchen before progressing to making chocolate. They began selling to restaurants and country clubs on the East End, as well as retail stores all the way to Long Island City and Manhattan. North Fork Chocolate Company had a popup in the Tanger Outlets food court from October 2013 to February 2014.
Being appreciative of the incubator’s support for her fledgling business, Corley in turn will offer shelf space in her new shop to local artisanal food producers. She calls it an incubator outlet.
Corley also recently founded The Artisan Project, a weekend market at Grange Hall in Northville, where local artists, craftsman and producers can sell their goods.
North Fork Chocolate Company will have its grand opening on February 14, 2015, and Corley expects there will be a soft opening a few days early so treats can be picked up in time for Valentine’s Day.