APPLETON - If you've visited Cocoa Couture, LLC, a chocolate and gift shop at 619 W. Wisconsin Ave., you might recognize owner Tarina Swanson, and the chocolates.
Cocoa Couture, formerly Sapphire Moon Chocolates, first opened in August 2019 at 1741 N. Casaloma Drive. In 2021, the shop relocated into the Fox River Mall.
The shop moved again in 2022 and took over the former Chuck E. Cheese at 4671 W. Michaels Drive. The goal at that location was to bring in more customers with a bigger space and wider selection of products.
Aside from chocolates, the store sold ice cream, truffles and other desserts.
However, the move to a bigger space proved more difficult than predicted, resulting in a significant loss of Swanson's own funds.
"It was so big and required much more inventory and out-of-pocket expenses," Swanson said.
The amount of money she was bringing in wasn't enough to cover the expenses for the larger building. In an effort to preserve what funds she had left, Swanson closed Sapphire Moon Chocolates in April 2023 and took a small break from running a small business.
In Oct 2023, Swanson re-opened her chocolate and gift shop in a new location under a new name.
"Some people might question why I opened a new business so soon after closing the last one," Swanson said. "What they don't realize is this place is minimal compare to Chuck E. Cheese, plus I've had friends that have helped me because they believe in my business."
Swanson said the goal of this shop is to help pay off any loans and debt from her previous business and problems caused by the pandemic.
"Then, we're really just trying to create a nice space for the community to come enjoy some sweets and shop," Swanson said. "We really want to be involved in the community and provide something that's unique."
Although the shop is currently open, Swanson is planning a grand opening ceremony for the month of June.
"It'll be an outdoor sale, with merchandise and food and of course, we'll have special chocolates and prices going on for that," Swanson said.
Cocoa Couture sells several of the same chocolate treats that could be found at Sapphire Moon Chocolates including the alcohol-infused chocolates that are unique to the shop.
"The artisan and alcohol-infused chocolates are pretty popular, but also the chocolate meltaways, sea-salt caramels, toffee, mint patties and coconut bonbons sell really well," Swanson said.
The alcohol-infused truffles include flavors like American whiskey, champagne, Irish cream, bourbon, almond amaretto, crème de menthe, coconut rum and Patrón Tequila.
"The alcohol is infused in the ganache, but they're not alcoholic," Swanson said. "Even a kid can eat them and they won't get drunk, the alcohol cooks off during the chocolate-making process."
The shop often offers holiday themed treats as well, this month hand-painted, bunny-shaped chocolates are available in different flavors as well as egg-shaped chocolates, Easter-themed chocolate-covered pretzels and chocolate pops.
For now, Swanson uses an off-site commercial kitchen to handcraft and hand dip all of the chocolates sold at the shop.
Throughout the shop are unique gift items that can also be purchased including keychains, cutting boards, PopSockets, garden gnomes, pre-made baskets and more.
Although the business is in a new location and under a new name, Swanson hopes her old customers will continue to support the new shop.
"We really just want our customers to know that even though the store is smaller, it's the same products, some new, and it's the same feeling," Swanson said.
For more information, follow Cocoa Couture's Facebook page.
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.
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