By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | May 20, 2022 | Food & Drink, Parties, Events,
Just when you think the must-visit Ghirardelli Square couldn’t get any sweeter, starting on May 20th its flagship store reopens as the newly renovated Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store.
This experience will be fully immersive for all its devoted chocoholics, transforming the 5,000 square-foot space into a more airy and open-concept retail lounge. New additions include an expansive Pick & Mix area and their scenic ice cream sundae “Alcatraz Room” with wide views of the Marina.
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Initiated by premiere design firm Eight Inc., known for their work in creating Apple’s sleek and contemporary retail store layouts, the popular reinvigorated landmark at the Woolen Mill Building is just one of three historic renovations planned.
"In collaboration with the Ghirardelli team, we aimed to blend historic elements of the iconic space with new and engaging components of the Ghirardelli retail environment," Eight Inc.'s managing principal Edmond Kuan elaborated, explaining how well the new design both modernly shines and retains its classic features. "The space captivates visitors with incredible views, interactive features, and a bit of nostalgia—all a great backdrop for enjoying Ghirardelli chocolate."
The Experience Store’s grand opening comes in conjunction with Ghirardelli’s 170th anniversary, and fittingly the first 170 guests to arrive at 11:30 a.m. received a free World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae. Mayor London Breed was in attendance for this momentous ribbon-cutting, along with other property management representatives and Executive Director of San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Kate Sofis.
Mayor Breed proudly remarks, "Ghirardelli Square is one of our city's most beloved destinations that tourists and residents always come back to," saying that although COVID impacted San Francisco’s tourism industry, Ghirardelli’s irresistible chocolates have “ helped bring people to San Francisco's waterfront for almost 130 years, and they will continue to do so with the reopening of their Chocolate Experience Store."
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Another significant aspect of the Experience’s transformation includes an open-viewing concept where guests can watch the expert chocolatiers craft their signature bars in real time, adding both visual and olfactory delights.
You can observe the hazelnuts being perfectly roasted and the luscious hot fudge prepared right before you while the divinely sweet smell fills the vintage room’s new giant windows and ornately hand-painted murals.
"We are thrilled to unveil the Chocolate Experience Store to our community of chocolate lovers and hometown of San Francisco," said Justin Reese, VP of Retail and eCommerce at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Justin Reese affirms. "Our premium chocolate, the historic architecture and the stunning views, have made Ghirardelli Square a favorite San Francisco destination. The interior re-design brings a new vibrant experience to the classic space."
900 North Point Street is where The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store is located, and is now open from Sunday to Thursdays between 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays to Saturdays to 11 p.m.
Whether you're coming here with your family or not, this wonderful chocolate store's nostalgic sugary smell is sure draw you in and make you feel just like a kid again!
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Photography by: Jay Joshi/Unsplash