The Chocolate Shoppe Gardnerville: A Sweet Local Gem Worth Visiting

Meet the owners, Lynn & Harvey.

Lori wrapping Halloween cookies.

Flavorful & fun pumpkin spiced cocoa bomb.

Adorable regulars that used to bike to the shop together when they were younger.

1363 HWY 395N, Suite 7

Gardnerville, NV 89410

*Website

*Shop Online (USA & Canada)

*Shipping Information

*Instagram

*Facebook

Business Snapshot

A sweet little local gem in Gardnerville where candy lovers can indulge in handcrafted candies, chocolates, caramels, toffee, fudge, nut clusters, and so much more. Everything is made in house in small batches and by hand.  Situated along the main road in Gardnerville, it's a perfect stop for day trips and road trips to and from Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and even longer trips to Southern California.

I had the honors of hanging out with these incredible ladies one day and had the time of my life getting to know them, watch them work their magic, and even witnessed some of them dance and sing.

Reasons Why I Love The Chocolate Shoppe

*The owners and staff are seriously passionate about what they do
*Free samples.  Need I say more?
*No one does holiday spread like they do 
*Their motto? Everything has to taste as good as it looks.
*Ashley’s Bordeaux alone is reason enough to visit.
*They love doing custom orders and always welcome new ideas.
*Their staff sings while they work.  I think that joy translates straight into the chocolate.
*No refined sugars or artificial ingredients - just pure, high quality goodness.
*They create custom gift baskets for any occasion.
*They print images on cookies, Rice Krispies, and other treats - so fun
*They ship their chocolates across the U.S. and Canada.
*It's right off the main road right next to Raley's
*The second you walk in, you’re hit with the most incredible chocolatey aroma.
*Their Roka will ruin the pink tin Almond Roca from your childhood in the best possible way.
*It's located in Gardnerville, a beautiful and charming town filled with so much history, hidden gems, and  rad annual events.
*Everything is made in small batches and individually wrapped with care.

The story behind this sweet little shop goes all the way back to 1994, when Lynn started Sweet Images and began creating personalized edible treats using photo printing technology.  It eventually grew into a successful wholesale business, but Lynn had always dreamed of opening a chocolate shop of her own. In 2012, that dream became a reality when The Chocolate Shoppe opened its doors in Gardnerville.

Today, it has become a beloved local staple. When a business puts its customers first and prioritizes quality products, it really shows. The team is always so welcoming and eager to help everyone find the perfect treat the moment they step through the doors. And when a place happily hands out free samples, you know they truly stand behind what they make and want you to find something you love.

The Chocolate Shoppe also specializes in custom creations for all kinds of occasions - curated gift baskets, personalized cookies & rice krispies with edible printed images of your choosing, and any other concotions you can think up. Since everything is made in house in small batches and by hand, they have the flexibility to turn all kinds of sweet ideas into reality.

And when the holidays roll around, oh boy, do they go all out. Their festive creations are colorful, creative, and just as delicious as they are beautiful. Their motto says it all: Everything has to look as good as it tastes.

There are also a few treats you absolutely have to try while you’re here. Ashley’s Bordeoux is reason enough to stop in, while their Roka is the kind of chocolate toffee treat that might make you forget about that familiar pink tin of Almond Roca from childhood. 

If you’re a fan of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory or remember the iconic I Love Lucy scene where Lucy and Ethel frantically try to keep up with chocolates racing down the conveyor belt, you’ll probably understand why I love chocolate factories and similar places that showcase their process and are run on pure passion and love. Movies and scenes like this helped develop my love for food and painted it in a way that made it feel exciting, magical, and full of possibilities. There’s something so special about stepping into a shop filled with delicious candies & handmade chocolates made by happy people, with the sweet smell of treats lingering in the air.

Meeting Lynn and her team has been an absolute joy, and I feel lucky to have experienced the magic they bring to the community. I’m so grateful they welcomed me into their world and gave me a little glimpse behind the scenes of what makes The Chocolate Shoppe so special.

If you’re traveling along Highway 395, this is one sweet stop you won’t want to miss.

How I Discovered The Chocolate Shoppe

The annual Coffin Races in Gardnerville are one of my favorite events to attend during spooky season. I love how welcoming this town is and admire the way they know how to have a good time.

Notice the cool zombie in the coffin throwing up a thumbs up. I might have to inquire soon about how I can subject myself to this madness one year. Honestly, it looks way too fun to just watch from the sidelines.

It was love at first bite when I first tasted their top seller, Ashley’s Bordeoux, at the Coffin Races in Gardnerville, Nevada. Rich and creamy brown sugar mocha buttercream is wrapped in dark chocolate and topped with real chocolate sprinkles. DROOL!

The Chocolate Shoppe had a vibrant and festive display of Halloween treats at The Coffin Races in Gardnerville back in October 2021.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah and Eden at the Coffin Races in 2021.  They greeted us with the warmest smiles and cheerful hellos. Of course, being our usual chatty selves, we had plenty of questions, and they happily answered every one while encouraging us to visit their Gardnerville shop where everything is made fresh in house.

Sarah filling evergreen tree shells with a creamy chocolate filling.

Kristina, Emily, and Mandy hard at work.

The Chocolate Shoppe is truly the whole package and is setting the standard for what a business should be and how it should operate for success. They’re passionate about life, stand proudly behind their products, and treat every customer like family. If you’re ever in the area, don’t hesitate to stop by and tell them I said hello.

Notes

*They’re conveniently located right next to Raley’s.
*If you have time, Genoa, Nevada’s first settlement, is only 15 minutes away. It’s home to what is often considered the oldest bar in Nevada and is an incredibly charming little town. Genoa is also home to the very popular annual Candy Dance Festival, which usually takes place at the end of September.
*Lake Tahoe is only 25 minutes to an hour from Gardnerville, depending on where you’re headed, and is an absolute must visit for its incredible beauty.

*Carson City is just 25 mins. away and is loaded with things to do, sights to see, and good eats.
*Alcohol truffles and sugar free chocolates are available.
*Be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest updates on new treats, sales, and seasonal specials.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.***

Photography

Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized under Good Eats ---> Desserts

14 Reasons to Love Pangolin Cafe in Reno

Midtown 
955 S Virginia St. STE 110
Reno, NV 89502

Website
Menu
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1.  The shop is named after the most trafficked animal in the world to bring awareness of its threatened life to the public.  

In efforts to help save this endangered species, Cafe Pangolin donates a portion of their profits to savepangolins.org.  

To me, a business that works so hard in making a difference is an amazing business worth supporting. 

2.  The taste and quality of their drinks and food are superb.  

I worked at Seattle’s Best Coffee and Starbucks waaay back in the day when I was in college, and between work and visits to big foodie cities, I had the opportunity to taste so many different types of coffees and teas. I quickly learned that all coffees and teas are not created equal.

Just like fruits and vegetables, there are different levels of taste and quality. Coffee beans and teas grown in ideal conditions, with the right soils and nutrients, can develop more complex flavors and characteristics compared to their counterparts.

Just by looking at and smelling Pangolin’s loose leaf teas, I can tell they pack plenty of flavor. Based solely on their appearance and aroma, they remind me of the high quality loose leaf teas I’ve enjoyed at popular tea bars/houses in San Francisco.

I do know that their Matcha Green Tea is high quality. The flavor was outstanding in their Maple Matcha Latte. A lot of places may skimp on matcha because of its high cost, but definitely not Pangolin. You can taste the matcha in every sip.

At first taste, I knew that what I was experiencing at Pangolin was quality.  And the same goes for their confections called Turkish Delights.  

Pumpkin Spice Latte and Maple Matcha Green Tea Latte (Iced)

3.  Their drinks and food are works or art.

While my priority is taste when it comes to food, I am not complaining that Cafe Pangolin not only brings taste, but presentation as well.  We do eat with all of our senses, after all.  

4.  They have the perfect ambiance.

On many visits, I've witnessed so many people at the shop working on their laptops and and having a great time with family & friends.  Their modern styled business is super classy, laid out with lots of great details, including Thomas Edison-style lights and real and hip house plants.  It's such an inviting and cozy atmosphere, especially during the day when the sunlight shines through the windows.

5.  They support local businesses just like themselves.  

If there's one thing I love about Reno, it's the loving and caring community and their willingness and didcation in supporting one another, especially through tough times.

Pumpkin Spiced White Chocolate Toffee

Seasonal Items As of Oct. 2021

6.  They go out of their way to create seasonal items for the enjoyment of their customers.

There's nothing like getting into the holidays and seasons with seasonal treats that capture the flavors and feeling of the time of year.

It takes great effort for businesses to keep up with seasonal items. They have to take the time to create recipes while keeping up with trends, advertise, estimate demand, and order supplies and specialty ingredients. All of that work goes on behind the scenes just to give customers something new and exciting to look forward to with each season. I really appreciate businesses that put in the extra effort to create these special items because it makes each visit feel a little more fun and gives us another reason to come back and see what they come up with next.

7.  You can place orders online.

Order ahead online and pick up treats and drinks at your convenience.

Their liege waffles are perfectly balanced.

8.  Attention to Detail

They offer milk alternatives for different dietary needs, along with agave for natural sweetening and agave straws to help keep their carbon footprint to a minimum. Their branding is also on point, with the pangolin featured on their sleeves, mugs, menu, website, store, gift tins, informative cards on how to store food, and more. You’ll find their adorable mascot woven into just about every part of the Pangolin experience.

9.  They're located in Midtown on a strip featuring many other local businesses.  

Nearby: The Emerson Cocktail Lounge, Local Beer Works, Sanctuary Hair Salon, Bad Apple Vintage, Dolce Cafe, Beefy's Burgers, Nevada Fine Arts Supply Store, and so much more.  

Sea Salt Chocolate Dipped Toffee is Out of This World!

Turkish Delights are Delightful

10.  Their housemade confections are out of this world, and you get one free with every drink.

Their handcrafted Turkish Delights & Toffee are so stinkin good, and they come in so many fun and rad flavors! 

What is a Turkish Delight? It’s a chewy confection made with a base of cornstarch and simple syrup, which is made from water and sugar, with a wide array of flavors added. They are then coated with cornstarch and/or powdered sugar. They are so fun and flavorful, with just the right amount of sweetness. I’ve had these candies at many other places, but they just don’t compare to Pangolin’s.

Their toffee has a softer texture than other versions, yet it’s still perfectly crunchy. It’s super flavorful and fresh, and without a doubt, one of the best versions I’ve had to date.

11. They ship througout the USA.

Is there anything better or more convenient than having this gifting option available 24/7 for those times when we need it most? It’s a thoughtful gift that goes a long way and makes it easy to brighten someone’s day, even when you’re short on time.

Orange Italian Cream Soda

12.  They serve both iced and warm drinks, making their flavors perfect for any season and enjoyable year round.

13.  They have outdoor seating . 

14.  Their Service is the Cherry on Top.

NOTES

*Milk alternatives - oat, almond, & macadamia

*Take S.Virginia St. to access the entrance to the parking lot

*Free choice of Turkish Delight with every drink purchase

*Small bites like bagels and cream cheese available

*Coffees are analyzed with Agtronic Technology to ensure the best quality products

*Top drinks - Cubano and Cardamom Latte

*There's about seven parking spots out front.  Additional neighborhood parking nearby.

*Whole bean coffee bags & loose leaf teas available for purchase 

*Lemonades, hot cocoa, and Italian sodas available for non-caffeinated options

In Store Menu as of 10.13.2021

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.***

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized Under "Good Eats"---> "Cafes"