Serving Joy at Coco’s Confections

Terrence Kenniff, from left, owner, with employees Shannon Sackett and Megan Heavey.

SERVING JOY AT COCO CONFECTIONS

By Taylor Nicioli

Terrence Kenniff, owner of Coco Confections and Coffee and “chocolate wizard,” has been serving joy to his customers daily since the opening of the store three years ago in April. Originally intended to be a chocolate and tea shop based on Uzbek culture, Coco is now a well-loved haven for the pairing of chocolate and coffee in Sea Cliff, with their tagline, “two beans: infinite indulgence.”

Inspired by Brooklyn Chocolatier Michael Rogak, “son of a son of a candymaker,” Kenniff told the “chocolate legend,” half-jokingly at the time, that one day he was going to be a part of the chocolate-making field. Sea Cliff was where his family had resided for a calmer life, and he found the joy in helping local families celebrate their special occasions.

Coco Confections has everything from deep, dark, robust chocolatey coffees to delicately light, citrusy-tasting coffees, paired with truffles and anything that you can dream of chocolate-dipped. Kenniff, who has been in the foodservice industry for the past 30 years, including 20 years at one of the top catering facilities in New York, said he keeps his products on the higher end, like his hand-painted truffles.

“The chocolate-making process is fun and frustrating all at the same time,” said Kenniff. “Chocolate is temperamental, pun intended. There is a science to it and there is an art to it.”

Kenniff credits the creation of his shop to the happiest day of his life, when he and his wife had handed out Earl Grey truffles as wedding favors. Now, Kenniff continues to aid people in their celebrations with handmade chocolates within the community near his shop and even shipping across the country.

“Chocolate transcends everything; it transcends age, culture, mood,” said Kenniff. “We celebrate with chocolate; we use chocolate to comfort and soothe. In prosperous times, we eat chocolate, and in difficult times, we eat chocolate.”

The customers that come in regularly describe the shop as a “personalized experience” and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. The shop has customers that come in every day, as well as customers that come from out of town on their occasional visits to the Island.

“Coco Confections is a community,” said Kenniff. “We try to keep everything local here at the shop because a business has a responsibility to its neighborhood. It is really nice to become a part of this community and be a part of people’s lives in this way.”

Photos by Taylor Nicioli