Along the pleasant streets of the Mosaic District, something sweet has taken root.
When Neuhaus, a Belgian chocolate shop, set out to open its first Virginia location, this Fairfax neighborhood’s bustling, upscale environment stood out. The store opened its doors on District Avenue last October, and has since embraced enthusiastic and welcoming local customers. Now, it’s gearing up for its first Valentine’s Day in the region.
The Neuhaus story began in 1857, when founder Jean Neuhaus opened a pharmacy in Belgium. According to the company’s website, he covered the medicines he sold in a layer of chocolate. The concept would later be perfected in 1912 by Neuhaus’s grandson, who developed the praline and ditched the medicine, filling the chocolate with more deliciousness.
Today, each piece of chocolate that Neuhaus produces embarks on a traceable journey from plant to praline. Neuhaus is invested in an Ecuadorian cacao farm, where it works with farmers to ensure the product’s quality. In addition, the company’s cocoa is sustainably sourced, and its chocolate is made with all natural ingredients, according to Floriane Libbrecht, sales and project manager for Neuhaus.
All that said, if the chocolate lover in your life just so happens to be your valentine, Neuhaus might have the key to satisfaction. It is offering an array of specialty gift boxes for the holiday, including the Love Letter Box, which features 15 heart-shaped chocolates in limited edition flavors.
For the more extravagant gift giver, the Valentine Heart Box has a whopping 85 assorted chocolates. Rest assured, when it comes to combining chocolate with romance, any of the collections will do. 2905 District Ave., Fairfax
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