Already well known for chocolates that are as lovely as they are flavorful, North Fork Chocolate Company is now renting space for private parties and events.
The owners of the Aquebogue chocolatier created the party room without having to swing a hammer or knock down a single wall. Instead, they expanded into the connected space next door, which was left empty when Peconic River Yoga owner Kate Alesio sold the business last year.
“It had been empty for several months before we even started thinking about it,” said North Fork Chocolate Company co-owner Ann Corley. “But everybody kept coming to that door trying to find us, not realizing they had to walk a little bit further, so finally we thought, ‘how can we make this work?’”
Co-owners and partners Corley and chef Steve Amaral expanded the shop by leasing the adjacent space. The additional 1,200-square-foot space can be rented for engagement parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties and even intimate weddings. Amaral can provide food as well.
“We can do 80 people for a seated dinner, 60 for a buffet, there’s even room for a DJ,” Corley said. “When it gets warmer we have tents we can put up and do 100 people for cocktails.”
The chocolate shop also plans to host its own events, such as chocolate and wine pairings, chocolate parties and more.
“We’re going to do theme parties like murder mystery dinners, historical dinners and other events to reach out to the community,” Corley said.
The space is officially named “The Gallery” as it is decorated with work by Amaral, an accomplished painter, who has sold his work all over the world.
“I started painting in 1995,” Amaral said. “But I can only do it now when I have the time.”
Corley has events planned for the fall, including ‘Fondue Fridays’, which will begin around Thanksgiving.
“We’ve also got lots of things lined up for the winter, when people are looking for something to do and especially for Valentine’s Day,” she said.
North Fork Chocolate Company is located at 740 Main Road in Aquebogue. For more information about “The Gallery” and upcoming events, call (631) 779-2963 or follow the business on Facebook.
