Been a bit busy.... :)

Alrighty folks, going to try really really really hard to keep you up to date at The Chocolate Season...perhaps once a week blog posts?  The days just go by so fast at the shop, I feel like I wake up and make chocolate, eat a lil' chocolate, talk about making more chocolate, order bulk couverture chocolate, and then go to sleep going "hmmm, should have made more chocolate goodies today"

So, quick re-cap.  We moved.  *surprise surprise* We expanded to 16 E. State St, the Boston Block Building in Algona.  Brad has worked tirelessly on renovating the building for over 540 days *give or take a week or two* and we've had enormous help from parents, scott and sara lockard, and my best friends, who luckily, are still my friends even after hauling 2x4s, installing insulation and painting....everything.

We had some fun and crazy happenings here at TCS like Michele Bachmann and Newt Gingrich visiting, as well as being highlighted as an awesome small business by Google, a film crew came out and filmed us as a part of "Get IA online" (or insert your state of choice here...they will be making it around to all of them!) And the lead film maker had a small obsession over our chocolate shoes ;)

We've invented new products, created new drinks, developed new artisan chocolate flavors *like Cinco Margarita, named after my favorite mexican restaurant, Cinco de Mayo in Algona, as well as the Viola, Rosemary Merlot Caramel and the Southern Belle.
We've changed up some product packaging and offer more gift options like O Olive Oil products, mugs, tshirts and bulk coffee from The Mill.

 We started offering a superb lunch menu, thanks to the help of Chef Stephanie, a recent addition who relocated from Minneapolis.
The menu will change seasonally, with produce and goods being bought locally where available, thanks to our lovely neighbor Fresh Connections *Algona's food co-op and health food store*












I'm always continuing my education with conferences like the one I just went to in Maryland, where i get to spend some quality time with fellow foodies, talk about recipe development, bounce flavor ideas of each other, and just have some fun bonding time over modeling chocolate roses, toooooo much food, and pate de fruit :)
 
I will blog next about some of my other favorite people, my employees.  Customers are always remarking how they love the atmosphere of the store, and a lot of that atmosphere is due to the wonderful, wonderful people i have working for me.
I'll showcase some photos of my favs with their favorite thing at the store..so it'll be a great way to meet them and see some of the popular products we have in store for you!