There is nothing worse than candy corn. But good chocolate on the other hand, well, that can just make your day. While I enjoy mass drugstore candy just as much as the next person, there’s something so luxurious and decadent about artisan chocolate. So if you’re eating or gifting chocolates this holiday season, here are some small business brands to consider.
Cleveland Chocolate Company: This is a newer brand that specializes in single-origin chocolate. Amazing for chocolate purists, and so fun to add in a wine tasting too! PS this would be a great zoom experience gift - get some Cleveland Chocolate Company goodies and pair it with wines or even whiskey while you chat with friends/family over zoom!
Image credit: Cleveland Chocolate Company Instagram
Fear's Confections: We get a LOT of Fear’s chocolates, especially Cassandra’s Chocolate Covered Pretzels and all her Star Wars creations in milk chocolate(yes, we are Star Wars nerds). Earlier in the year, we made little gift boxes for our quarantine pod, and they were such a nice treat during a stressful time! *Woman-owned business
Sweet Bean Candies: If you’re looking for candy that’s SUPER instagrammable, and even art-like, Sweat Bean candies are what you’re looking for. These candies are almost too pretty to eat…almost. *Woman-owned business
Chocolate Fusion Candy: If you’re looking for old fashioned fudge with modern flavor profiles, you’re going to want to check out Chocolate Fusion Candy. Please note that I have not personally tried this brand, but you can read their testimonials here. *Woman-owned business
Sugar Bomb Confections: Sugar Bomb Confections is a small batch hand made 1 woman show! Inspired by her Aunt & Uncle’s bakery, Diana pursued culinary school and has been a professional pastry chef in Cleveland for 20 years. Sugar Bomb Confections is the natural extension of her life’s passion and experiences! If you’re looking for truffles or delicious macarons, you’re going to want to check out Sugar Bomb! And from now until 12/20/2020 you can get 10% off your order with the code BOMBAY *Woman-owned business
Buoyant Brands: It’s a stressful time these days, and if you need a little something to take the edge off, you may want to consider Buoyant Brands. This candy company offers chocolate, gummies, caramels, and more with full-spectrum CBD (contains THC), and broad-spectrum CBD (no THC). If you prefer regular chocolate with no CBD infusions, they’ve got you covered there too.
Happy candy eating everyone! Remember, moderation is a good choice.
To find a whole lot of midwest-based small businesses to shop this holiday season, check out Shop Holiday Handmade, a virtual Holiday Bazaar that runs November 28th and 29th. You can sign up for the Facebook event (and related notifications) here. I'm one of the vendors in the jewelry section this year, and I hope you will consider shopping local this holiday season! If you can’t shop local, or don’t plan to attend Shop Holiday Handmade, you can still support the vendors at the virtual event by clicking “Going’ on the Facebook event - it helps post the even to other people who may be interested.
I plan to continue features like this through the rest of the year and well into 2021. If you're a small business owner fill out this short form to be featured in the future, or share this with a small business owner you know and love!
If you’re not buying chocolate this holiday season, but want to support these small businesses, please pin the image below to your Pinterest boards - it will help others find this page and these businesses both now and well into the future! Thank you for supporting small businesses!
