Longtime Cary chocolate shop gears up for Valentine's Day

Chocolate Smiles' small Cary location is normally packed in the days leading up to Valentine's Day. But this year, things are different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted 2:40 p.m. Feb 10, 2021 — Updated 8:30 p.m. Feb 7, 2023

Kathy Hanrahan, Out

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CARY, N.C. — Chocolate Smiles' small Cary shop is normally packed in the days leading up to Valentine's Day. But this year, things are different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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"I like to keep my employees safe, so we don't have anyone in the shop right now because the shop is so small and at Valentine's day would be impossible for us to do any social distancing in the shop," owner Melanie Williams said on this week's WRAL Out and About Podcast. "So, we have curbside pickup. We take orders if someone comes into the parking lot. We take email orders."

The shop has a rich history dating back to 1984 when it opened its doors on West Chatham Street. Generations of people have been making it their go-to spot for sweet treats. Williams, who is the fourth person to own the shop, said people have come from Wilson and Fayetteville to check out their confections. They have also shipped chocolate internationally.

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The shop is known for its large confection cases, filled with items including their famous truffles. In addition to the standard truffle flavors, Valentine's Day flavors include champagne with a dark chocolate ganache on the inside dipped in milk chocolate and Crème Brûlée with white chocolate.

In addition to truffles and fudge, the shop has added hot cocoa bombs to the menu. These "bombs" are made from their premium chocolate and filled with hot cocoa mix. Just pour hot milk over the bomb and watch it explode in your cup.

"We have some special ones for Valentine's day. We have our milk chocolate, a dark chocolate raspberry, chocolate covered strawberry and a red velvet cake and that one is shaped in a heart shape," Williams said.

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Chocolate-covered strawberries are a hot item each year, so Williams suggests pre-ordering.

In addition to fruit, the shop dips marshmallows, graham crackers and just about everything else in chocolate. Even the boxes the chocolates go in can be made of chocolate.

Chocolate Smiles is also known for its reusable boxes, which loyal customers bring back each year to be filled with chocolates. One customer has been bringing his box back for about 30 years.

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