WATCH: Quebec store Les Chocolats Favoris opened their doors on Government Street Tuesday, marking their expansion into Western Canada. Monica Martinez reports.
From an assortment of chocolates, to take home fondue, and 12 flavours of ice cream dip, the new store on Government Street is a chocolate lovers delight.
Les Chocolats Favoris is well known in Quebec City for their ice cream dip, opening there in 1979.
Owner Dominique Brown acquired the business in 2012, after working in the video game industry for 14 years.
He rebranded their products, inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and has opened 20 new locations in the past four years.
Victoria is the company’s first store in Western Canada.
“I’m from Quebec City and Victoria feels much alike. I came here on a trip a few years ago and fell in love with the city. Government Street also is very lively,” he said.
Mayor Lisa Helps said it’s a perfect addition to Government Street, an area that only a short while ago was plagued by empty storefronts.
“Government street is full. We have maybe two vacancies left on Government Street and that is a far cry from what it was a year and a half ago so it’s exciting,” Helps said.
The popular tourist area has its share of other ice cream and chocolate retailers, most notably Rogers’ Chocolate just a block over, but they said they aren’t too worried.
“There is enough demand with tourists and the strong American dollar right now that lots of people are coming to Victoria, so I think bringing more people to the area will bring more business to all of us,” said Sales Director Shannon Caines.
Les Chocolats Favoris isn’t yet well known in B.C., but they hope to be the Starbucks of chocolate, with 20 new stores opening across the country by 2017, including one outside of Canada, offering plenty of options to satisfy those sweet cravings.
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