Sweet Essentials LLC — Local services in Berkley

The hubby and I went out for breakfast and did a little shopping in the area for the holidays and we had walked by this place a few times but had never gone in. We said, to hell with our diet, let’s check out some chocolate! This company didn’t disappoint!

The atmosphere is simple and doesn’t have the decorated storefront and aesthetic of big brand places like Kilwins or Saunders, but where the true magic lies is in the product itself and the love that goes into their creations.

We had just wanted to browse, but the lovely employee provided us with an experience unlike any other we’ve had in a chocolatier. She asked us about our chocolate preferences and what we like paired with them then offered us some samples. Woooooo buddy! The caramel covered in milk chocolate was like gifting an early Christmas gift to um taste buds. She went on to tell us about the rich history of the business that began in Détroit and all of the ups and downs that brought the company to where it is today. For a small business to make it through economic hardships and the passing of the founder is impressive. She showed us pictures of original storefront and signs which made me think of my grandma who grew up in Detroit. It brought a smile to my face thinking of her enjoying chocolate treats gifted to her from my grandpa when they were young and newly in love.

We purchased their malt balls and they are the best I’ve ever had. We will certainly be back closer to the holidays to pick up our annual chocolate haul for family gifts.

I’m sure many of you who read this have fallen prey to the last minute shopping madness before the holidays resulting in purchasing from large companies who manufacture or mass sell their goods (I see you Amazon and Walmart), but please consider stopping by your local businesses for your holiday shopping. Clicking ‘add to cart’ for easy two day shipping does save time and sometimes money… but the love, care, and passion that goes into making the product just isn’t there. We loved how enthusiastic the employee was and how she easily triggered happy memories and how kind she was to her community members. I give my highest of recommendations to Sweet Essentials and will certainly be back to treat my taste buds. Thank you for a lovely and memorable...

I'm in New Jersey and found out about this place through some friends. First of all, I'm into chocolate, and have sampled quite a range. In my book, there are two companies that I put at the very top of that food chain (see what I did there?). One is Royce Chocolates from Japan, which has shops in the United States (not cheap, but an amazing treat - get the matcha nama, keep it refrigerated, enjoy a few cubes of it here and there like you'd sip a fine whiskey). The other is this gourmet mom & pop shop that apparently also has just some of the nicest people you'll ever have the pleasure of talking with working there. And I have never had a single piece of chocolate from them that I didn't absolutely love. If you said to me, "Ok Jeff, you suggested the matcha nama from Royce's, what specifically should I get from Sweet Essentials?", I'm honestly stuck for a moment because of everything I've received from there, it's ALL so good! Maybe go with an order of their popcorn with the nuts and caramel, and a premium assortment box, as a good starter. Go into this understanding that you're in for a real treat, and if you like chocolate, this is a special gourmet experience. Meanwhile, you're supporting an award-winning gourmet mom & pop shop with extremely nice people working there. Amazing chocolate, friendly service, what more...

Chocolate is good but the service is poor. It's a tradition for my wife's family to get chocolate bunnies from here for Easter. In the past we've accepted the high prices ($50 each bunny) for decent quality chocolate, the tradition, and supporting a local business. We'd easily drop $250 on candy! Over the past few years the service has been awful. The staff makes you feel like every question is a stupid one, and that our being there is an inconvenience to them. I'm ready to drop this tradition, and I advise others to look in another direction where your patronage is...