SCHAKOLAD CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Image:  Schakolad Chocolate Factory   

Schakolad (pronounced shaq-oh-LAD) – is a combination of “Schaked” (last name of co-founder Barun Schaked)) and “Chocolate.” Although they have stores in five states—two in Tennessee!—their chocolates are “made fresh on premises” in each location, using a “tried and true three-generation European-style family recipe” using the highest quality. Visit them in Franklin at 1735 Galleria Blvd, Suite 1037.

POPPY & PEEP

Image: Poppy & Peep

As a young girl, Evane Stoner remembers her dad bringing her treats from his business trips, like fudge from Gatlinburg. One of this father-daughter duo’s favorite things to do together was (and still is) visiting candy shops. So, it only makes sense that when Evane grew up, they attended chocolate school and decided to bring “their vision for chocolate education and hospitality” to Nashville.  Poppy & Peep creates “whimsical and badass chocolate delights” and specialize in “creating bon bons, chocolate bars,& confections that are both playful & flavorful” in their  custom micro chocolate factory. Check it out at 374 Herron Dr. Unit 6, Nashville.

OLIVE & SINCLAIR

Image:  Olive & Sinclair

Tennessee’s first bean-to-bar chocolate company, Olive & Sinclair (or as they like to call themselves, O&S) founded in 2007. What’s “bean-to-bar”? Taste your way through one of their tours and find out! Along the way you’ll learn how their antique melanguers (stone mills), modern European technique and classic Southern flavors come together to create what they’ve dubbed as “true Southern Artisan Chocolate.” Hint: A chocolate tour makes a great V-Day gift. Or you can just buy a bar or seven. That works, too. Pick up your chocolate at 1628 Fatherland Street in Nashville.

LEON’S CANDY

Image: Leon’s Candy

Handcrafted in Nashville since 1994, Leon’s Candy pralines were served at George W. Bush’s First State of the Union Address dinner and have been featured on the Food Network and in Southern Living magazine. Their quaint candy kitchen is home to a fourth-generation candy story that smells like warm caramel, rich melted chocolate and Jack Daniel’s whisky. Their recipes, handed down from generation to generation, are said to make the best candy ever. Judge for yourself at 2nd Ave North, Suite 102, Nashville, Inside Butler’s Run Breezeway where 2nd Ave meets Commerce St.

TEMPERED FINE CHOCOLATE

Image:  Tempered Fine Chocolates

Tempered Fine Chocolates, in Nashville’s historic Germantown neighborhood, is inspired by “historic French and Swiss chocolate-making techniques” and say that “chocolate creates a through-line for all cultures, continents and experiences.” Their chocolate is created in small, delicious batches and can be eaten or drunk; they offer both hot chocolate and drinking chocolate—sort of an espresso version of hot chocolate—alongside ‘regular’ espresso, which pairs beautifully with truffles. Speaking of pairings, you can book whiskey and wine pairing experiences…something to consider as a Valentine’s gift? Visit the ‘shoppe’ at 1201 5th Avenue North, Nashville.

COLT’S CHOCOLATE

Image:  Colt’s Chocolate

Former “Hee Haw” Honey Mackenzie Colt went “from the stage to the stove” when she founded Colt’s Chocolates in 1984. The oldest specialty chocolate and dessert company in Nashville, Colt’s specializes in delicious chocolates and southern desserts. Although they’re now sold across the country in specialty shops, hotels, and retail, Colts still crafts their chocolates by hand. You can take even take a factory tour and watch them do it at 3611 Gallatin Pike, Nashville.

P.S. If you’re wondering about Goo Goo Chocolate, we featured them in our Fall Fun in Franklin post and they’re definitely worth a visit. As is every chocolatier on this list…even when it’s not Valentine’s Day.

The post SWEET! CHOCOLATE SHOPS IN AND AROUND NASHVILLE appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.