(Burlington, VT) Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC) has created a select-origin, high-cocoa-content dark chocolate bar to commemorate the grand opening of Burlington’s Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts. In addition, LCC has sculpted a replica of the Firehouse building from 25 pounds of chocolate.
“The Firehouse is an essential part of the Burlington community, and we are very excited to introduce this exclusive chocolate bar to celebrate its opening,” said Jim Lampman, president and founder of LCC. “I encourage people to buy a bar to support the Firehouse, but also to taste a single-source Tanzanian chocolate that ranks among the finest in the world.” The limited-edition bar is 75% cocoa, yet the flavor is very rich and fruity. The cocoa beans used in the bar grow exclusively in Tanzania, Africa.
The bar’s wrapper was designed by Jager Di Paola Kemp Design and printed by Queen City Printers, both in Burlington. It captures the essence of the Firehouse’s opening with “Firehouse Opening – The Sweet Return – December 14th ’02.” Jager Di Paola Kemp Design and Queen City Printers donated the time and materials to design and print the wrapper.
Half of all proceeds from the bar will benefit the Firehouse. It sells for $3.00 at the Firehouse and at LCC’s retail stores at 750 Pine Street & 63 Church Street, Burlington, and in Waterbury Center, Vermont.
In addition, LCC’s Kirk Weed, chocolatier and sculptor, constructed a miniature scale-model of the Firehouse building out of 25 pounds of dark, milk, and white chocolate. Completely edible, the sculpture is 27" long, 9" wide, and 24" high, complete with a chocolate bell in the chocolate bell tower. It will be on display at the Firehouse for a limited time, then moved to LCC’s 750 Pine Street factory store. Visitors can enter a raffle to win the sculpture. The winner will be announced at the Firehouse on First Night.
Lake Champlain Chocolates, founded in 1983, offers sweet indulgences that capture the essence of Vermont, the tradition of making fine chocolate, and the pride that goes into each bite. Preservative-free and Kosher-certified, Lake Champlain Chocolates are crafted in small batches from the finest quality Belgian chocolate and select natural ingredients including local Vermont cream, sweet butter, maple syrup, honey, fruits, nuts, and other natural flavors. Lake Champlain Chocolates are available online at www.lakechamplainchocolates.com, toll-free at 1-800-465-5909, and nationwide at specialty food & gift stores and upscale hotels & inns.