What could possibly be more tempting and totally self-gratifying, than to dive head first into a box of decadent hand-crafted gourmet chocolates? Visit Lake Champlain Chocolates in Vermont and find out!
Lake Champlain Chocolates' Humble Beginnings
Located on Pine Street in Burlington Vermont, Lake Champlain Chocolates has been creating and selling premium hand-crafted gourmet chocolates since 1983. Twenty five years later, Lake Champlain's founder Jim Lampman has seen his business grow from a tiny back-alley wholesale business, to an ever-evolving mega-chocolate company with well over 100 employees during the busy holiday season.
Free Chocolate Factory Tours
Visit Lake Champlain Chocolates' factory! Free factory tours are offered Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 2:00pm. Group tours are also available. Their state-of-the-art factory and enrobing room are behind huge plate glass windows for all the world to see. Everything is labeled to tell the chocolate tourists exactly what each piece of equipment does. Knowledgeable staff help answer questions and hand out free samples. What's not to love about that?
Gourmet Chocolates
Crafted from Belgian chocolate, all LCC chocolates are 100% satisfaction guaranteed and Star-D Kosher certified. Lake Champlain Chocolates specialties include their Gourmet Chocolate Truffles, Five Star Bars, Hot Chocolate, Signature Bars, Select Origin & Organic Chocolates, and their famous Chocolates of Vermont collection, among many others.
Gourmet Chocolate Gifts
Beautiful handwoven Chocolate Gift Baskets are overflowing with chocolate delights. There are sizes to suit every budget and taste. Lake Champlain's enormous "Chocolate Gift Basket of Cheer" has enough chocolates to tempt and satisfy a small army! It sells for $125.00 and includes an incredible selection of orgasmic treats such as:
- 18-piece Chocolates of Vermont
- 6-piece Organic Chocolate Truffles Gift Box
- 5-piece Holiday Chocolate Truffles
- 7-piece Stocking Stuffer Chocolate Squares
- Holiday Chocolate Coins Gift Box
- Two Five-Star Chocolate Bars
- Two Signature Chocolate Bars
- 10-piece Chocolate Journey
Lake Champlain Chocolates Best Sellers
Gourmet Truffles will never fail to be a best seller. During the holiday season however, certain chocolate gifts are in high demand. Here are some of the more popular gifts:
- Milk Chocolate Pecan Caramel Clusters
- Vermont Country Chocolate Gift Basket
- Spruce Tree Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate of the Month Club
- Almond Butter Crunch
- Chocolate Obsession
- Tower of Treasures
Chocolate Wedding Favors
Not surprisingly, a large part of Lake Champlain Chocolates' business comes from the sales of wedding favors. Brides love the classy gold Ballotin Box Favors with a choice of gourmet chocolates. Even more impressive, is the name and wedding date of the happy couple engraved on the keepsake box.
Lake Champlain's Chocolate Blog
Leann lends a friendly voice to the otherwise large company by running a blog, aptly named "Lake Champlain Chocolates Blog". She personally interacts with chocoholic readers; announcing new products and upcoming events, giving out chocolate suggestions, running contests and sharing recipes. Check it out and see what's going on in the land of chocolates! They can even be followed on Twitter!
When to Give Chocolates
Any time is a good time to give chocolates, and Lake Champlain Chocolates has made gift giving even easier with their custom chocolate calendar. At last count, Lake Champlain Chocolates recognizes a whopping 120 holidays suitable for giving chocolate gifts! That should break the bank!
Benevolent Contributions & Programs
Lake Champlain Chocolates isn't just about their own profits. They're also proud sponsors of community groups around Vermont, with 10% of their pre-tax profits going to charities. Here's just a few to consider:
- Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
- World Cocoa Foundation
- The Flynn Theater
- United Way
Lake Champlain Chocolates, 750 Pine Street, Burlington, VT 05401, 1-800-465-5909. Mail order chocolate, three company-owned stores in Vermont, and over 1000 independent retail outlets nationwide.
Source: lakechamplainchocolates.com
Here's some cheesecakes that would go great with Lake Champlain Chocolates:
Chocolate Cheesecake with an Oreo Cookie Crust
Cherry Cheesecake with a Graham Cracker Crust
NY Style Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe
Donna Diegel - Donna Diegel is an experienced baker and published author with more than 25 years of experience in the food industry.
