Village Peddler and Chocolatorium — Local services in Arlington

We visited the store as a family and paid for the chocolate tour which included going to a separate, closed off area for those that purchased the tour, a movie about the origins of chocolate, a tasting and making a chocolate bar.

Denise, the owner’s daughter, was very informative and provided a thorough overview of the chocolate making process.

The tour seems to gear more toward adults, as the tastings were more sophisticated (assortment of solid dark and milk chocolates from different regions).

We did however, have a very personal issue take place.

While the kids were making their bars, I was speaking to Denise and had a pleasant conversation. She then asked where we were from. I answered that we currently live in Israel.

She then pointed to a display case that was behind me and said “you may find this interesting.”

I then noticed there was a significant and beautiful display of chocolates from around the world, and saw that where she referred to, had chocolates from the largest Israeli chocolate maker.

Before I noticed anything else, Denise said, almost apologetically, that they wrote “Nazareth” as its place of origin instead of Israel because that’s what it says on the package.

Only after she made that statement, I noticed that throughout the entire display, not one sign had a city of any kind.

All had countries listed.

All except for the Israeli chocolate.

The package writes the entire address of the place of production, indicating “Nazareth, Israel.”

I did not say anything further about the matter, however, it personally made me feel very unwelcome and tainted the...

It was a day trip. Chocolate and my wife and daughter go together very well, so it was decided we would check out The Chocolatorium. It was straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting: the place, the surrounding area, the people running the store, the vibe, the interaction of the husband and wife (the owners).....It was so nostalgic, fun and enjoyable! Nick, the owner, provided the presentation about chocolate (history, the process, the story, the tasting) and he was just the sweetest, most sincere person; genuinely stimulated, happy and excited when talking about one of the loves of his life....CHOCOLATE! He made a lasting impression on my 16 year old daughter; on the way home, she would regularly exclaim about Nick, "he's so nice!". In today's world, for a 16 year old to be moved by the simplicity and true substance of what we experienced, is a real accomplishment. However, my daughter is special and appreciates the finer things in life. Please, make a point to check it out. The good feeling induced will linger for quite some time. Then, when you want the good feeling to end abruptly, walk into a Walmart store. Are you with me? Keep the independent family run...

The Village Peddler and Chocolatorium is a charming little shop nestled in a sleepy Vermont town. With its warm, cozy atmosphere and the enticing aroma of chocolate, it's a delightful place to visit. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and the selection of chocolates is vast and tempting.

One of the highlights of the shop is the large chocolate teddy bear on display. It's been there for years and has become a beloved local attraction. The teddy bear is a testament to the shop's dedication to quality and craftsmanship.

Whether you're a chocolate lover or simply looking for a unique shopping experience, The Village Peddler and Chocolatorium is a must-visit. Be sure to try an assortment of their hand-picked chocolates, and you might even catch a glimpse of the famous...