Inkakaw Chocolates Opens First Brick-and-Mortar Shop in Crystal

For local chocolate lovers looking for a truly authentic treat, a new destination in Crystal’s Lamplighter Square is offering a direct line from South American cacao farms to the Twin Cities northwest suburbs.

Inkakaw Chocolates recently celebrated the grand opening of its first standalone storefront, specializing in handcrafted, natural dark chocolate made using traditional techniques.

For co-owner Abel Jimenez and his family, chocolate making is far more than a business — it’s a multi-generational legacy. His family has operated cacao plantations in Ecuador dating back to the 1930s.

“On both sides of my family, my dad’s side and my mom’s side, there are chocolate plantations,” Jimenez said. “It’s something very, very close to home. We kind of used that connection that we have from our family to help us get started.”

Abel Jimenez of Inkakaw Chocolates stands at the counter of his new Crystal store.

The Jimenez family launched their retail chocolate line in 2018, initially building a loyal local following through farmers markets and regional grocery stores before finally opening their own dedicated shop in Crystal this past September.

“Just having our own store means so much to us,” Jimenez shared. “It’s a testament to the time we’ve spent here and the work that we’ve done to build something as an immigrant family.”

Bean-to-Bar Craftsmanship

Unlike commercial candy shops, Inkakaw Chocolates takes complete control over every step of the production cycle. From roasting and mixing the beans to molding the final bars, everything is done directly in house.

“We’re the only people that touch the chocolate, from when it arrives to when it gets stocked on shelves,” Jimenez explained.

Some of the products they offer include pure dark chocolate bars, rich hazelnut spreads and traditional brewing cacao.

Visitors to Inkakaw Chocolates can also sample the products before purchasing.

Giving Back to the Neighborhood

Opening the store in Crystal represents a personal full-circle moment for Jimenez, who grew up in the immediate area and attended nearby Sandburg Middle School. Bringing the business back to his childhood stomping grounds was a deliberate choice to invest in the community that welcomed his family years ago.

That local connection is already hitting the mark with neighborhood residents looking for artisanal products close to home.

“My children have been begging to come to the chocolate shop,” said customer Abby Jorlett, a Crystal resident. “My husband and I used to live more in the city, and I always love it when you find niche things that are unique to the neighborhood. I think it gives it more character.”

Honoring Indigenous Roots

The shop’s name, Inkakaw (pronounced IN-kuh-cow), was chosen intentionally to honor the indigenous South American communities that have cultivated cacao for generations. The name is a combination of Inca and cacao. 

Inkakaw Chocolates is located at 2748 Douglas Drive North in Crystal.

Related: Artisan Chocolate Shop Opens in Robbinsdale

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