A Chocolate Celebration

5 Places to hit up for the chocolate lover

By Molly Milroy

Life during a pandemic can be…interesting, difficult, trying and exhausting, all at the same time. You’ve managed to juggle working from home, grocery shopping with your mask on, and helping the kids through online learning. It’s been a long year. Well guess what? You deserve a break and a treat. Take some time for yourself and indulge in one of life’s greatest treats — chocolate. Here are my five favorite spots to hit up in the Northland for what I like to call, A Chocolate Celebration. Most of the stores offer online shopping, curbside pick-up, and delivery, so you can be sure to receive your treat in the way you are most comfortable, but make sure to visit their online site first to see their current protocols.

Sweeden Sweets

Sweeden Sweets, located on Tower Avenue in Superior, is a hub of specialty candies, including a wide variety of chocolate treats. They boast chocolate covered cherries, cashew truffles, and my personal favorite, the chocolate covered potato chips — sweet and salty at its finest. For the more adventurous type, I dare you to investigate the chocolate-covered bacon or bacon s’mores. www. sweedensweets.com

Rustic Inn Café

Are you a pie enthusiast? Head up the north shore to the Rustic Inn Café and take delight in their five-layer chocolate pie, which includes layers of chocolate, meringue, cream and a touch of cinnamon. It’s so sweet, this little treat is a great one to share. www. rusticinn.cafe

Another option, order the pie through the Whole Foods Coop and pick it up there! www.wholefoods.coop

Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen

I know, I know, the Candy Kitchen in Knife River is not open the entire winter and you may just have to wait to stop in for one of their sweet treats, but come spring, the wait will be worth it.

This little gem includes third- and fourth-generation candy makers and, following their family recipes, you can watch them hand stir ingredients in copper kettles. Plus, it just gives you one more thing to look forward to after our long winter! So mark it in your calendar and visit them come early May, the fudge will be waiting and you will not be disappointed. www. greatlakescandy.com

Hepzibah’s Sweet Shoppe

Located in DeWitt Seitz in Canal Park, Hepzibah’s aroma will drive you in. They exhibit everything from locally made fudge to award winning truffles. And their chocolate ore boats are adorable and make for a fun little Duluth gift. When you are out and about in Canal Park, be sure to stop by! www.chocolatesduluth.com

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Do you like apples? How about caramel apples? If so, this is the place to visit. From English toffee to rocky road, they have a wide variety of chocolate-dipped caramel apples to choose from. Not into apples? Check out their chocolate sea salts, another tasty treat for the buds or try my personal favorite, the chocolate-covered strawberry. With two convenient locations, one in Canal Park, the other in the Miller Hill Mall, it’s the perfect little drop-in. www.facebook.com/rmcfduluthmn

However you are managing life during this pandemic, take some time and indulge yourself. And while you’re at it, share the love with someone you know that might need a pick me up, send A Chocolate Celebration to a friend. With the variety of delicious chocolate in the Northland, I’m sure you can find the perfect gift. D