Robbinsdale Chocolatier Pours ‘Heart and Soul’ into Valentine’s Day
Customers streamed into Robbinsdale business Cocoa Flake Thursday morning, just one day before Valentine’s Day.
All of them are grabbing treats for every Valentine in their life. Wives, children and other loved ones, to name a few. One customer, Bob, stopped by to pick up treats for the nurses from his cancer treatment.
“I saw them every 22 days for three years, and we became like family. So, whenever I have to go back, which is now only every four months, I always bring them a gift,” he said.
Owner Denny Rain opened Cocoa Flake four months ago to bring her chocolate-making creativity to market. She crafts chocolate bars, hearts and bonbons. So far, Rain is the sole employee.
“If you come to a small business like me, I put my heart and soul into what I do,” Rain said. “I do everything! I wear all the hats in the business.”
CCX first met Rain in October. Then, we learned that she moved from Italy to Minnesota 13 years ago. She named her business after the snowflakes in January.
Since she opened her doors, Rain has refined her system. Though she still sells deluxe bonbons, there are other types of chocolate for sale — like the viral Dubai Chocolate — or bags filled with hearts for Valentine’s Day. She also sells less-than-perfect bonbons in a box for a discount.
“This is my first adventure! And I am learning as I go because there are so many things I don’t know,” Rain said.
Leaning into the holidays have also proven successful for Rain. She said December was busy, and the momentum is picking up this February with its Valentine’s Day offerings. The bonbon collection includes vanilla, tiramisu, raspberry vodka and Amarena cherry.
A tray filled with fresh raspberry vodka bonbons homemade by Rain.
Rain’s pitch at gifting chocolates for Valentine’s Day is simple: it’s something you can really take in.
“I do not like flowers,” Rain smiled. “I think chocolate is better, because it’s something I can eat. Flowers? They go bad and last maybe a week. Chocolate? I can enjoy it,” Rain said.
Her customers seem to echo that sentiment. Royal Dahlstrom, a former colleague of Rain’s, stopped by to buy chocolates for his family Thursday morning. He said this stop was a no-brainer.
“Chocolate does not wilt and go away,” Dahlstrom said. “It just goes in your mouth and you enjoy it! So that’s why I like it.”
Cocoa Flake is located in downtown Robbinsdale at 4180 West Broadway. Chocolates can also be ordered online for delivery or pickup.
A look into the Cocoa Flake display case.
