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Assorted chocolates at North Fork Chocolate Company. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

We’re counting down the top coolest stories of 2015 on northforker.com. We will publish one story on our list per day, every day, until Jan. 1.

Coming in at number 7 is the opening of North Fork Chocolate Co.

Few North Fork businesses saw as much anticipation for their grand openings this year as North Fork Chocolate Company.

After making a name for themselves selling their delicious wares at local farmers markets and opening a temporary shop in the Tanger Outlets food court, partners Ann Corley and chef Steve Amaral finally put down roots in Aquebogue. They opened the week of Valentine’s Day this year.

“After Tanger, we got our workout. It was a great experience,” said Corley. “It was more than an education.”

Corley and Amaral specialize in artisanal gourmet chocolate, including truffles, bonbons and chocolate bars, using pure Belgian chocolate. The rest of their ingredients — including milk, butter and eggs from Goodale Farms in Aquebogue, apple cider from Woodside Orchards, also in Aquebogue, and wine from Jamesport Vineyards in Jamesport — are locally sourced.

North Fork Chocolate Company also generously opened their new store to smaller start-ups, allowing them the opportunity to sell their wares and gain exposure.

The company has since expanded into ice cream, partnering with Goodale Farms to release its own line of homemade flavors like Mocha Chocolate, made with espresso from Aldo’s Café in Greenport, and strawberry buttermilk, which uses strawberries from Sujecki Farms in Calverton.

The duo now make their chocolate on the premises in a new commercial kitchen and host local tastings and shopping events.

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