Thursday, March 7, 2013
Two employees from the Maplewood chocolate shop went to an internationally known chocolate boot camp.
St. Louis chocolate lovers could be in for some new treats. Monica Tirre and Tracy Kodner, who both work for Kakao Chocolate in Maplewood, attended Chocolate Boot Camp in mid-February. The camp, which drew 23 other attendees (some as far away as Ecuador), was held in Joplin, MO. "They came from all walks of chocolate," Tirre said. "Some that work in factories, some in the science aspect of chocolate, and people like us who are making it." They even survived a blizzard to learn their craft. The late February winter storm hit Joplin with eight inches of snow. “We woke up and there was no power,” Tirre said. “It was freezing.” “We learned stuff like making truffles, ganache and molded chocolate clay roses,” Tirre said. They already knew how …
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
When you go, check out the windows!
A Maplewood business that makes something very popular on Valentines Day is getting ready for a busy couple of days. Kakao Chocolate is making lots of truffles. “Because they have such a short shelf life, we have a very limited amount of time to make truffles,” Employee Maggie McKay said. See more photos at Maplewood-Brentwood Patch Facebook. “They have a three-week sell-by date and they’re good for two weeks after that,” she said. “We’ve already started the lavenders and the chai and the strawberry.” The difference between Christmas and Valentines Day shopping is Christmas lasts for almost two months, and Valentines Day is “two days of last minute shoppers,” she said. McKay said they’ll have the traditional heart-shaped chocolate boxes …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
New video to highlight the St. Louis area features two Maplewood businesses.
We know St. Louis is a great place to live. We also know that Maplewood and Brentwood are wonderful towns. Here Is St. Louis, a promotional video from Anastasis Films debuted Wednesday. The video highlights some of the great attractions St. Louis has to offer. Two Maplewood businesses, Kakao Chocolate and Schlafly Bottleworks, have cameos in the video. Other St. Louis originals include Kaldi's Coffee and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. It's cool music by Band Called Catch, too, so if you're watching this at work, do again when you can turn it up. OnMilwaukee.com also highlighted the area, giving its readers 5 great reasons to take the family to visit St. Louis. What's your favorite 'tourist spot' in the St. Louis area?
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Folks came from all over to walk Maplewood's streets, and sample great coffee and other goodies.
The third annual Maplewood Coffee Crawl pulled coffee-lovers from Chesterfield to south St. Louis city. It was sponsored by the Maplewood Special Business District and Feast Magazine. They had room for 500, and hit that number days before the event. Maplewood businesses Cheryl's Herbs, Foundation Grounds, Kakao Chocolate, Stone Spiral Coffee and Currios, Schlafly Bottleworks, Turner Center for the Arts, and Vom Fass took part, featuring a coffee roaster or in the case of Cheryl's Herbs, several teas. Kakao Chocolate had samples of chocolate to pair with coffee. See more photos at Maplewood-Brentwood Patch Facebook (Like it!) Community Development Director for Maplewood, Rachelle L'Ecuyer, called the event a walkable tour celebrating …
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A list of finalists for The Riverfront Times' annual web awards includes a few Maplewood connections.
The Riverfront Times released the names of finalists for the publication's annual list of web awards. A few businesses and people from Maplewood were named finalists: Congratulations to the finalists, and thank you for representing our community!
38.613476
-90.316576
Kakao Chocolate
7272 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO
/articles/kakao-chocolate-rampant-among-finalists-for-web-awards
1877858
/locations/6197016
38.613453
-90.31487
Schlafly Bottleworks
7260 Southwest Ave, Maplewood, MO
/articles/kakao-chocolate-rampant-among-finalists-for-web-awards
1427546
/locations/6197017
38.61228
-90.31721
Moosylvania Marketing
7303 Marietta Ave, Saint Louis, MO
/articles/kakao-chocolate-rampant-among-finalists-for-web-awards
1827250
/locations/6197018
38.603185
-90.320914
Rampant Creative Group
3608 Oxford Blvd, Maplewood, MO
/articles/kakao-chocolate-rampant-among-finalists-for-web-awards
1833889
/locations/6197019
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Maplewood Chamber of Commerce made the announcement on Friday.
Kakao Chocolate has been named the 2011 Business of the Year, the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday. The honor recognizes Kakao for its impact in a variety of categories, including "industry achievement, revenue growth, creative marketing endeavors, impeccable customer service, innovative products and company wide community involvement," the chamber's website notes. Kakao, which also has a storefront in St. Louis, opened a second shop in Maplewood in February. In a previous article, owner Brian Pelletier said he chose Maplewood because it is a foodie destination. Have you shopped at Kakao Chocolate yet? Let us know in the comments and rate the business in our directory. A chamber selection committee determined the winner …
38.613476
-90.316576
Kakao Chocolate
7272 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO
/articles/kakao-chocolate-named-maplewood-business-of-the-year
1877858
/locations/6150255
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Health, organization and patience are few of the items on local residents' wish lists as they face the new year.
What are your resolutions in the new year? Share them in the comments section!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Folks in Maplewood and Brentwood recall some of their most memorable Christmas gifts, as well as some they'd rather forget.
What was your favorite (or wost) gift during the holidays? Please share your stories in the comments section.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Kakao Chocolate in Maplewood sells Dyeabolical's hand-dyed yarn inspired by the Kakao logo.
Kakao Chocolate, Pudd’nhead Books and other local businesses are the inspiration for the newest colors at hand-dyed yarn shop Dyeabolical, and it all started—as the best things do—with chocolate. Rachel Kluesner, a Shrewsbury resident who describes herself as an “indie dyer” of yarns, was selling her wares at the Missouri History Museum a few years ago when Brian Pelletier, owner of Kakao Chocolate, asked to buy a one-of-a-kind color that matched his company’s logo. Pelletier’s mother knit the yarn into what he calls his “chocolate scarf,” which he now wears “all the time,” Kluesner said. Later, Traveling Tea owner Katerie Meyer asked Kluesner for two unique yarn colors, one to match her own shop’s logo and another as a gift for Queen’s …
38.613476
-90.316576
Kakao Chocolate
7272 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO
/articles/kakao-chocolate-inspires-custom-dyed-yarn
1877858
/locations/6036544
Monday, December 12, 2011
These local businesses offer a great selection of gifts for dogsitters, bosses and other folks on your holiday shopping list.
So you've picked out holiday gifts for mom, dad, and your favorite foodie. You've even managed to sneak out with some great gifts under $20. But what about your boss? Or your favorite coworker? Have you purchased anything for your babysitter, hairstylist, or next door neighbor? In many cases, these gifts can be the most difficult to pick out. You want something that shows that you put some effort into the purchase (and didn't just choose the first thing out of the bargain bin at Target!). But when you don't know your recipient's tastes extremely well, choosing a great holiday gift can be tricky. Thankfully, there are plenty of great local shops in Maplewood and Brentwood that have the perfect gifts for those miscellaneous people on your …
38.622754
-90.335075
Camille's Sidewalk Cafe
1250 Strassner Dr, Saint Louis, MO
/articles/shop-local-gifts-for-coworkers-neighbors-and-more-in-maplewood-brentwood
1427719
/locations/5991498
38.613207
-90.31755
Airedale Antics
7316 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO
/articles/shop-local-gifts-for-coworkers-neighbors-and-more-in-maplewood-brentwood
1427863
/locations/5991499
38.613476
-90.316576
Kakao Chocolate
7272 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO
/articles/shop-local-gifts-for-coworkers-neighbors-and-more-in-maplewood-brentwood
1877858
/locations/5991500
38.612258
-90.342896
Time for Dinner
8506 Manchester Rd, Brentwood, MO
/articles/shop-local-gifts-for-coworkers-neighbors-and-more-in-maplewood-brentwood
1427417
/locations/5991501
Stephanie Shepard
11:02 am on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Thanks for the mention, Ryan! And congrats to all of the other Maplewood nominees! I'm so proud to call this neighborhood my home :) more ›