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Franchise 50795
Spokane Valley, WA
509-927-RMCF (7623)
Your Hosts: Aaron & Rachelle Blackmer and Bruce & Candice Blackmer
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NEWS
Sweets Await Attention, sweet-tooths and chocoholics: A Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has opened in Spokane Valley.
Customers to the store along North Sullivan Road will be greeted near the entrance by the grand display case of some 200 mouth watering caramel apples in about 20 varieties oozing with personality. Then there’s the tempting and vast array of bulk chocolates and fudges stretched alongside one wall in cases; the other side is lined with such items as boxed chocolates and packaged treats. Still, at the back of the store customers will find ice cream and a full menu of frozen options.
“Fine chocolate is a lot like fine jewelry,” says Rachelle Blackmer, who worked as a jeweler for nine years in Seattle and Spokane before opening her Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise Nov. 7 along with husband Aaron and in-laws Bruce and Candice Blackmer.
Rachelle and Aaron Blackmer met in high school and relocated following their 1997 graduation from University High School. They opted to return to Spokane Valley in 2003.
The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, based in Durango, Colo., is an international franchiser of gourmet chocolate and confection stores that began in 1981. It is known for its premium chocolates and confections in signature generous portions. The company uses a special blend of intensely flavored chocolate from the Guittard Chocolate Co.
The Blackmers were confident to open their store in the Valley because no other candy store in the area could compare, they say. Plus, it’s a fun place to work, Rachelle Blackmer says.
“I want customers to come in, sit and enjoy,” she says, noting people can bring in a coffee from the nearby coffee shop and have their chocolate or treat in the store.
Seating and tables, and a large-screen TV, are available in the 2,000-square-foot candy shop. Customers also can watch some of the chocolate items created and dipped. Blackmer and her five employees create some of the items, including the fudges and candied apples. Individual chocolates and packaged items are created at company headquarters.
Chocolate is priced per pound, at $19.95 for chocolates, fudges and barks; and $24.95 for chocolate-dipped fruits. Candied apples range from $3.95 to $6.95 per apple depending on the amount of toppings.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/nov/29/sweets-await-at-rocky-mountain-chocolate-factory/?print-friendly | More reasons chocolate is good for youThe Dec 2 NBC Today Show
We know that dark chocolate cocoa powder has up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea, plus twice the antioxidants in red wine; that’s good for your heart. And studies have shown that dark chocolate’s polyphenols affect serotonin levels in the brain; that’ll boost your mood. But this year dark chocolate has gained even more favor in medical circles. In one study, heart-transplant patients showed a decreased risk of clogged arteries two hours after consuming 40 grams of dark chocolate. In another, researchers from the University of Illinois found that subjects who ate a 22 gram dark chocolate bar daily for two months lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. And investigation is underway to see if dark chocolate can be used to decrease PMS symptoms. Sweet news for us all. | Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory eClubJoin the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory eClub and receive a FREE caramel apple just for signing up, a FREE caramel apple on your birthday and FREE chocolate dipped strawberries on your wedding anniversary. You will also receive all the latest Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory news and discounts just for you, our loyal customer. | Home is Where the Chocolate Is: Couple to Open First Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Spokane (Spokane Valley, WA) When Rachelle and Aaron Blackmer moved back to their hometown to start a family, Spokane had everything they were looking for—except their favorite chocolate shop. Now the couple is filling the void with the city’s first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, slated to open in Spokane Valley by early November.
Born and raised in Spokane, the Blackmers are excited to bring their new chocolate store to town. It will be located at 506 North Sullivan in Spokane Valley among a cluster of stores near the corner of Sullivan and Broadway.
Rachelle is particularly happy to bring home a favorite indulgence she acquired when they lived in Seattle. Married in 2001, the couple moved to Seattle while Aaron completed an education in graphic design. Rachelle worked at a jeweler’s in a mall that also featured a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
“I would buy an Apple Pie Apple every week. I also bought Aaron chocolate for special occasions and just because. His favorite is nut clusters,” Rachelle says.
Visitors to the new Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will be treated to a bright shop filled with the irresistible smell of chocolate and shiny display cases filled with the trademark Bears™, truffles, English toffee, nut clusters, caramels and more, available in signature generous portions and all made from time-honored recipes. In addition, a complete line of sugar-free chocolates will be offered.
Cases will be also filled with fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate and crisp apples spun in chocolate or caramel and rolled in tasty toppings. Traditional boxed chocolates, packaged items and gift baskets will tempt as well. Rich premium ice cream will be offered, something visitors may not expect at a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Aaron especially looks forward to making fudge in the store and handing out samples to customers. Rachelle enjoys making custom gift baskets and treat trays. She sees a real need for the corporate and special-occasion offerings, from chocolate business cards, dipped-apple party trays and holiday-themed gift items to wedding trays and customer “thanks for the business” baskets.
Rachelle thinks it will be an easy transition from helping customers in a jewelry store to putting smiles on people’s faces at her chocolate shop.
“Fine chocolate is a lot like fine jewelry. Instead of their jeweler, I will be their fine chocolatier. I love helping customers one on one because I can get to know them. And I love that chocolate makes everybody feel good,” says Rachelle, who worked as a jeweler for nine years in Seattle and Spokane.
Rachelle and Aaron met in driver’s ed class during their sophomore year in high school and have been together ever since. They have two children, Peter Edward, 3, and Annabelle Mae, 2. When he’s not making fudge for the store or helping behind the scenes, Aaron continues to work as a freelance graphic designer.
The first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store opened in 1981 in the picturesque Old West mining town of Durango, Colorado, where the factory continues to create chocolates for more than 300 franchised and company-owned stores throughout North America.
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