Vancouver chocolate lovers rejoice, we are getting a new artisan chocolate shop in the Little Mountain-Riley Park neighbourhood.
It was certainly sad when gluten-free favourite Innocent Ice Cream announced it was moving out of its spot on 33rd Avenue and Main Street but this recent announcement means it's bittersweet.
Not only is Innocent Ice Cream expected to open on East Hastings Street in late spring but at the same time locally handcrafted chocolatier Melt Confectionary will be taking over their old space and opening very soon.
Vancouverites might have spotted Melt's small-batch bars at Nooks in Gastown or at Rain or Shine on Cambie with intriguing flavours like matcha sesame seed, yuzu milk, cinnamon french toast, crunchy cardamom, and even pop rocks.
Vegan chocolate lovers are also well represented at Melt with plant-based honeycombs, along with flavours like gingersnap, cookies and cream, and a London Fog made from coconut vanilla white chocolate created by East Van Roasters.
"It's wild to think I am still one person making all of this happen," says owner Kate Mathewson in a recent Instagram post about the new business venture. Mathewson says she is excited to have space to do the things she's been dreaming of but that "it was great to get some perspective on the goodness of growing slow."
There's no official opening date for Melt Confectionary at 4895 Main St.; work is in progress.
Those desperate for an Innocent Ice Cream fix can still find it at Stadium Market, right next door to the old Main Street shop.
