Losing a great asset of Cleveland – a cholov Yisroel ice cream and candy store – I hope that someone steps in with an idea to make it work. If not, it will really be missed.
We wish the Newman family all the best and want to thank them for serving our community throughout the years. Please support them during their last week in business. Also know that ALL CITY CANDY at 746 Richmond Road across from Richmond Mall has a large assortment of kosher items. We cannot replace the Chocolate Emporium, but we hope to make your acquaintance and sweeten your day.
I can’t believe that we are losing such a great city spot. It was a happy place with aromas of happiness and comfort that filled the air. I certainly hope someone does come along so that we won’t have to miss the Cholov YIsroel ice cream, Simcha popcorn bowls made of chocolate, and the wonderful options for treating the kids and simply enjoying.
I hope the Newman family knows how much joy they have brought the city of Cleveland. You will be missed
It is sad to see this business is closing. It also concerns me that other Kosher and Orthodox related businesses have either closed or are having difficulty staying open due to the lack of support from the community or competition from home-based businesses. Most people do not understand that legal retail businesses have many more expenses and legal requirements than home-based businesses. Having restaurants and stores that cater to the Orthodox community is an asset that draws people to live here and support the community. This is a big loss for our community.
I agree that Chocolate Emporium will be missed. However, I think your analysis, @Concerned, is incorrect. I don’t believe home-based businesses are significant competition for places like Chocolate Emporium. The bottom line is, Cleveland’s frum community has a lot of people who don’t have a lot of disposable income. Chocolate and ice cream are luxuries, & so are restaurant meals. It’s hard to run those type of businesses in this town.
As anyone in the food preparation department knows, there’s not a lot of markup involved, and because of the need of foods to be fresh, sometimes a lot of waste when sales don’t meet production: Another loss. High rent and other expenses plus the need to meet the requirements of various agencies: rabbinic, tax, health department and otherwise, can really add the challenges of running such a business. I think Mamale is quite right that it is simply hard on anyone running this type of business in cash strapped times and especially when the items sold aren’t basic necessities.
Many thanks for all the years the Newman’s have fed our sweet tooth and helped us treat our deserving children. And for all the simcha’s you’ve enhanced with your beautiful trays. And for cheering us up with your Chocolate Therapy. Until now, we’ve been able to apply as needed.
Chocolate Emporium will truly be missed. We wish you much bracha in the coming times.
I wish the Newman family all the best in the future and hope they come away with positive feelings of the community they have served for the last 18 years.
Other businesses in town are already picking up the chocolate sales. While they’ll be commercially made and lacking the quality of handmade chocolates, still fill a need. The gluten-free and allergy customers – most of whom comprised a large part of their mail-order business will have to find another online source.
Maybe Issi’s or The Bagel Shoppe will decide to offer CY ice cream, so no one should feel too deprived 🙂
FWIW, it’s not hard to run a food business in this town – or any town. Ask yourself why you and your friends and the community aren’t patronizing the restaurants (more often). If it’s because they provide a pleasant environment, good food and good customer service at fair prices – yet are still too expensive to patronize more often, then I’ll stand corrected and agree with you that it’s difficult to run a restaurant in this town.
I think a more accurate question would be to ask why it’s so hard for this town to get a well-run restaurant.
AF says
Losing a great asset of Cleveland – a cholov Yisroel ice cream and candy store – I hope that someone steps in with an idea to make it work. If not, it will really be missed.
Elisabeth Sapell and David Posner says
We wish the Newman family all the best and want to thank them for serving our community throughout the years. Please support them during their last week in business. Also know that ALL CITY CANDY at 746 Richmond Road across from Richmond Mall has a large assortment of kosher items. We cannot replace the Chocolate Emporium, but we hope to make your acquaintance and sweeten your day.
Sara Cooperman says
Thank you the Newman family for many years of service to the community. Best of luck!
Heights Parent says
I can’t believe that we are losing such a great city spot. It was a happy place with aromas of happiness and comfort that filled the air. I certainly hope someone does come along so that we won’t have to miss the Cholov YIsroel ice cream, Simcha popcorn bowls made of chocolate, and the wonderful options for treating the kids and simply enjoying.
I hope the Newman family knows how much joy they have brought the city of Cleveland. You will be missed
Concerned says
It is sad to see this business is closing. It also concerns me that other Kosher and Orthodox related businesses have either closed or are having difficulty staying open due to the lack of support from the community or competition from home-based businesses. Most people do not understand that legal retail businesses have many more expenses and legal requirements than home-based businesses. Having restaurants and stores that cater to the Orthodox community is an asset that draws people to live here and support the community. This is a big loss for our community.
mama'le says
I agree that Chocolate Emporium will be missed. However, I think your analysis, @Concerned, is incorrect. I don’t believe home-based businesses are significant competition for places like Chocolate Emporium. The bottom line is, Cleveland’s frum community has a lot of people who don’t have a lot of disposable income. Chocolate and ice cream are luxuries, & so are restaurant meals. It’s hard to run those type of businesses in this town.
Heights Parent says
As anyone in the food preparation department knows, there’s not a lot of markup involved, and because of the need of foods to be fresh, sometimes a lot of waste when sales don’t meet production: Another loss. High rent and other expenses plus the need to meet the requirements of various agencies: rabbinic, tax, health department and otherwise, can really add the challenges of running such a business. I think Mamale is quite right that it is simply hard on anyone running this type of business in cash strapped times and especially when the items sold aren’t basic necessities.
Many thanks for all the years the Newman’s have fed our sweet tooth and helped us treat our deserving children. And for all the simcha’s you’ve enhanced with your beautiful trays. And for cheering us up with your Chocolate Therapy. Until now, we’ve been able to apply as needed.
Chocolate Emporium will truly be missed. We wish you much bracha in the coming times.
Reuven says
I wish the Newman family all the best in the future and hope they come away with positive feelings of the community they have served for the last 18 years.
Other businesses in town are already picking up the chocolate sales. While they’ll be commercially made and lacking the quality of handmade chocolates, still fill a need. The gluten-free and allergy customers – most of whom comprised a large part of their mail-order business will have to find another online source.
Maybe Issi’s or The Bagel Shoppe will decide to offer CY ice cream, so no one should feel too deprived 🙂
FWIW, it’s not hard to run a food business in this town – or any town. Ask yourself why you and your friends and the community aren’t patronizing the restaurants (more often). If it’s because they provide a pleasant environment, good food and good customer service at fair prices – yet are still too expensive to patronize more often, then I’ll stand corrected and agree with you that it’s difficult to run a restaurant in this town.
I think a more accurate question would be to ask why it’s so hard for this town to get a well-run restaurant.