Shediac Tourism Operators Add Chocolate Factory To Downtown Destinations
SHEDIAC – The owners of a whimsical pair of hospitality destinations in downtown Shediac have added a chocolate factory to their roster, making for a trio of tourist destinations.
Sébastien Després and Heather Wright, owners of Le Moque-Tortue bistro, announced their purchase of Adorable Chocolate on New Year’s Day.
The three businesses will offer tourism options, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, in the east corner of downtown Shediac.
In addition to Le Moque Tortue, Després and Wright also own Le Griffon bed and breakfast.
“We’ve dreamed about this for a number of years now,” Després told Huddle.
The addition of Adorable Chocolat to Després and Wright’s existing businesses will further incorporate the Shediac-based chocolatier’s products into other tourism offerings, which are just across the street from Adorable Chocolat’s Main Street location.
With Adorable Chocolat, Després and Wright will draw on the knowledge of master chocolatier Frédéric Desclos, who will continue to make chocolate products with Adorable Chocolat.
“We had already been working with Adorable Chocolat. Frédéric had been making turtles for us to give out with coffee, etcetera, and we were already kind of in small ways partners, promoting each other and helping one another out,” said Després.
“But this way, it’s literally under one roof.”
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The acquisition will see most of Adorable Chocolat’s staff join the 20 people working for Després and Wright.
Després said Adorable Chocolat’s desserts will go into production for his two other businesses in June and will make up a significant part of food served at the bed and breakfast.
In addition to making chocolate, Desclos is teaching Després, Wright, and some of their staff the fine art of artisan chocolate product crafting.
Després said the acquisition will allow him, Wright, and their staff to help Desclos up his production levels.
“My wife and sister-in-law and many members of my team are training to assist in production,” said Després.
Després said they have been “planning and thinking about” the acquisition for a “very long time,” even hinting at the idea to Frederic.
“About six months ago, I made my intentions clear with Frédéric… there was an opening so we started talking about what it would look like. We’re super excited that we’re heading in this new direction.”
With Desclos onboard, Després and Wright have many ideas for new products and expansions. While Després was light on details, he noted their first objective is on maintaining business continuity.
“We’re really excited about making incremental changes and super excited Frédéric is staying on as a member of the team, so he can help us bring the business to where it can be,” said Després.
“We have a humongous team that we can use to further production. Until now, that production was limited because (Desclos) was producing every single thing he sold.”
Adorable Chocolat is the brainchild of chocolatiers Ginette Ahier, who launched Choco-Cocagne in 2007, and Desclos, a native of Brittany, France.
The trio of businesses, when properly integrated, are set for an official opening in February.
Sam Macdonald is a Huddle reporter in Moncton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].