The Chocolate Box Gift Shop (TCBGS) is in Historic Madison Georgia. TCBGS was originally created to be a bricks & mortar business that sold quality candles, skin care products, picture frames, jewelry, and home goods as well as skin care products for men. Because of its proximity to Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, and the University of Georgia Athens (UGA), it annually attracts thousands of tourists and shoppers from Atlanta, and Augusta as well as other cities in the region. Madison also attracts thousands of visitors with its various outdoor events and its signature Tour of Historic Homes. Several shops in Madison feature clothing, shoes, furniture, and baby products. I have learned from Madison residents, shop owners and local government employees that there used to be a chocolate shop in Madison, but it closed in late 2021. Learning that information was the deciding factor in my adding chocolate to the store. (As a side note, during the ribbon cutting ceremony, even the Mayor of Madison mentioned he also hoped there would eventually be chocolate in The Chocolate Box Gift Shop.) As mentioned, TCBGS was originally created as a unique and eclectic gift shop. However, once I added chocolate, sales began to take off! Our hours are 12noon to 6:00pm Wednesday – Saturday, and 12noon to 4:00pm on Sunday. We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. (Currently, no other retail stores in Madison are open on Sunday, however, I have found that since I am in close proximity to two restaurants that do in fact have Sunday hours, being open for 4-5 hours has been beneficial.)
The purpose of this investment is to help me convert the store from the gift shop it is now, to a profitable chocolate shop I know it can be by February 2024. These funds will allow me to increase my chocolate product lines, add glass display cases and a refrigerator for chocolates, convert one area of the store to include tables and chairs, and add wine tastings and chocolate pairings. I have a background as a Customer Service Trainer and my skills in this area have been very effective in servicing my customers’ needs and have been a factor in growing my business thus far. I genuinely believe converting it to a full-service Chocolate Shop will really have an impact!
My long-term plans are to have a second store in Lawrenceville or Snellville, Georgia (albeit a somewhat smaller location; 900 to 1,200 sq. ft.). These locations will provide a closer proximity to the Atlanta market. I also plan to set up a kiosk at the New Black Wall Street Facility in Lithonia, Georgia and use this location to test out new lines and different chocolate products.
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