Bellbrook Chocolates Satisfies All Chocolate Lovers
When Betty Blose first began selling chocolate out of her home in 1983, she wanted an outlet for her artistry and creativity, but had no business experience. Nearly thirty years later, Blose looks back on her very successful business, as well as the family that made it all possible.
Bellbrook Chocolates Satisfies All Chocolate Lovers
When Betty Blose first began selling chocolate out of her home in 1983, she wanted an outlet for her artistry and creativity, but had no business experience.
Nearly thirty years later, Blose looks back on her very successful business, as well as the family that made it all possible.
Blose notes the formula for Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe’s candies stemmed from a disagreement between her and her husband.
"My husband was a dark chocolate lover, I was a milk chocolate lover," Blose said. "We ended up creating a blend by combining chocolates, to what we have today, our signature blend which is a combination of milk and dark. It’s the chocolate we use for everything we make, and we’ve found over the years it satisfies all chocolate lovers."
Much has changed in 30 years; Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe moved to a historic building in Bellbrook for 14 years before settling into its current location at Cross Pointe Shopping Center. It has changed from a gift shop to an artisian chocolate store. Bloses’ husband passed away as her son and daughter-in-law started helping in the business.
But that chocolate recipe, she says, has stayed the same. "It’s dark enough if they prefer dark, and if the prefer the light, it’s not too dark for them." Blose said. "What worked for my husband and I, seems to have worked for a lot of other people."
The chocolate, which is made entirely by hand, has allowed Bellbrook Chocolate Shop to stay a small, friendly operation. Blose said she remains extremely proud of the light/dark mix, which today can be found in fine chocolates, covering pretzels and apricots, and in fudge.
"I moved the business to Cross Pointe Center, keeping the name of Bellbrook Chocolates because I’m very proud of my product. It’s still made the way I was doing it in my home, it’s still all by hand."
This Sunday, Bellbrook Chocolates is having a celebration that everyone can enjoy. The shop is putting on a chocolate buffet for a good cause; $20 per ticket with proceeds benefitting breast cancer awareness.
"There are over 90 kinds of chocolate. Once you’ve got your ticket, you can come in and enjoy as much chocolate as you want." Blose said. "We also sell and empty box and have people fill it as full as they can from the buffet of chocolate.
A portion of proceeds actually goes to breast cancer. Our specific goal is to provide mammograms for women who are underserved and underinsured, for that we work with the Kettering Health Foundation."
Those who participate will get a chance to explore the shop’s back kitchen, where its chocolates are handmade. The event takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. October 28 at the Shoppe’s retail store, 101 East Alex Bell Road suite 144 in Cross Pointe Centre. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door, a total of 125 are available. See Event: All-You-Can-Eat Chocolate Party.
"I’ve loved this business dearly, every minute of it. It’s not easy to work to make a small business grow but it is extremely rewarding." Blose said. "Being a breast cancer survivor, this event is very near to my heart."
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