Local, “mom and pop”, places are getting harder and harder to find everyday. It seems like corporations, like Starbucks and Wal-Mart for example, always seem to find right were the local places are and run them out of business. There are a few that struggle on, and even fewer that continue on just as successful as before (if not more so because of some citizens refusal to shop at large corporations).
I recently visited one of the very few, more successful, local stores the other day by the name of Canady Le Chocolatier. The very tiny store is located in downtown Chicago at just about 9th and Wabash. Just as you walk in to your left is a rather large cold case of gelato, for those not in the know that is Italian-style ice cream, and then comes the chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. I cannot describe all of the different chocolates available, and do them justice anyway. There are countless different varieties – cream filled chocolates, and things I have no idea what they are. Case after case of things – not just gelato and chocolate either, cannolis and cakes too.
Everything I purchased was phenomenal, a chai piece, key lime cream, a raspberry white chocolate truffle, chocolate et toi (a layer of dark chocolate followed by milk, and then finally a white layer, then all three are dipped in dark chocolate) and one of their tiramisu pieces. What little variety I had, while very good, were very chocolatey – meaning things like the key lime cream tasted significantly more like chocolate than key lime. Which is great if you're a real chocoholic, possibly not so much if you're in it for the key lime or whatever other flavor your heart desires. My favorite was the tiramisu – a gift straight from God (or whatever supernatural figure tickles your spiritual side).
The place was very nicely decorated – very homey, local, Chicago feeling. There were different types of bowls and utensils on the walls – you could even see into the back room where they made chocolate and prepared every individual piece – something you could only get at a independent local store.
The staff was a sincere pleasure to do business with, obviously local, nay native, Chicagoans – Tony the guy who helped us definitely did not seem like the kind of guy you would see in a chocolate store, however he was a complete pleasure to talk with as he knew all kinds of details about chocolate and the pieces they sold specifically that we could never have known or gathered on our own. He was either of Hispanic or Italian decent, but either way, the cross on his neck and the way he wore his shirt made it look as though he was doing mob work on the side, or maybe I just miss the Sopranos a little too much. Perhaps the store is a front, you never know.
Canday Le Chocolatier has a 15 percent student discount every Monday with a student ID. They encourage you to come in, sit down, and study while having some exquisite chocolates, gelato, and drinks available.
And for all you saying that you can't/don't want anything "unhealthy" Canday Le Chocolatier has some pretty interesting information on why bingeing on chocolate before exams and such is a wonderful idea. Go and check them out!
Local Shops