You may recognize the artisan chocolate bars with a bee on the packaging, but little did we know that what started as a delectable hobby would turn in to one of Carbondale's upcoming (and most unique) businesses, The Cocoa Club. We had the chance to sit down with owner, Mark Burrows to learn about his vision and journey evolution with chocolate.

Where did your passion for chocolate come from?

I've always had a passion for chocolate but only had access to 'candy chocolate' therefore never really liked Chocolate, until I discovered a company in San Francisco called Scharffen Berger. My world exploded as I discovered single origin chocolate, that was being made from bean to bar. It became my mission to find craft chocolate makers, creating chocolate in this way, everywhere I went.

How did it evolve into entrepreneurship, and now a manufacturing/service experience business?

In early 2019, getting tired of my chosen profession, I had now been doing 30 years, I started looking into doing something different. Recognizing my passion for chocolate, I started looking into what it would take to make chocolate myself, I had always assumed it was too complicated, which it is, but not beyond my skill set. Christmas of 2019 proved that I could make a go of it, which was fortunate because covid hit in 2020 and my traditional means of income dried up. I jumped head first into chocolate and never looked back.

*Mark Burrows and Crystal Colantino (2022)*

My chocolate was becoming too popular to manage on my own. I did a Kickstarter campaign, but it wasn't enough to launch me forward to succeed on a larger scale. I managed to talk my best friend into working with me on this project, which I am grateful she did. Crystal Colantino and I met since we both kept bees and talked constantly about our passion for bees as well. Lastly, another good friend convinced me to go larger and with his financial support was able to grow to where I am now. We have modified our simple chocolate manufacturing to the Cocoa Club by Pollinator Chocolate where we have grown into a chocolate coffee cafe, an evening cocktail lounge with desserts and emphasis on natural wine selections.

*Local artist, Gabriela Mejia. She painted the floors of The Cocoa Club (2022).*

The Cocoa Club is a fun and unique idea. We applaud your efforts in supporting other local artists along the way. Can you tell us more about some fun collaborative projects you've incorporated?

Local has always been important, it is at the top of our list on how to support our community. Helping friends and neighbors helps build our community. Our goal is to incorporate local goods and services wherever we can, utilizing the artist no matter their profession be it painting or electrical.

This project started with the local architect and interior design BLDG Seed, Architects. Rob Borchardt from Alchemy Fabrication and Welding crafted our hanging steel bar, with a DNS hand patina he calls 'living finishes' because it changes with the light, he also added fun touches like the hexagon perforated metal. We hit the jackpot with Gabriela Meija. She absolutely nailed a redesign of our packaging, coming January 2023, and also painted our floors. It was really fun to see everyone meet and make new contact and offer support and help to each other. That is what this whole community is about.

What is your ultimate vision for The Cocoa Club, what can locals expect from future visits?

As always, high quality chocolate in many forms. Look forward to more flavors and chocolate treats. Secondly, high quality craft cocktails, coffee and natural wine. Third, locally produced pastries and desserts. Finally, expert unique and fun events bonding our community even stronger.

The question everyone wants to know...when can we come check it out?! What can we get our taste buds ready for?

Our ultimate goal is to open as soon as we humanly can. When the paper comes off the windows please stop in, say hello and introduce yourself and enjoy a treat.