Thorntons closed their Wilmslow store three weeks ago and it has now been replaced by So Cocoa, which opened it doors on Grove Street last Saturday.
So Cocoa is a new venture from Thorntons, which caters for all price levels and stocks a wide change of chocolate brands. Stores have also opened in Epsom, Surrey and The Royal Exchange in Manchester this week, which aim to offer a wide range of chocolates which until now have not been available on the high street.
Manager Laura Roberts told me "We provide everything under one roof, bringing all the brands together with an independent and local feel."
Alongside their own Thornton's range, So Cocoa is stocking mass market chocolates, such as Ferrero Rocher and Toffifee, as well as more exclusive ranges such as Charbonnel and Sir Hans Sloane, which is predominately stocked by London stores including Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. Sir Hans Sloane products are all handmade and include a top of the range £250 hamper.
Other products stocked by the chocolate emporium include Booja-Booja, which are dairy, chlorestoral and gluten free chocolates, ethically produced by a small team of 12 based in Norfolk - some of which are packaged in handmade boxes from Kashmir.
Whilst visiting the store yesterday I also met with Product Managers Paul Hayes and Emma Smith who have been working on this new concept since March.
Emma, who has focused on the range So Cocoa stock, explained "Our range of chocolates is fluid. We will amend our stock as we go along and potentially also offer a selection of locally produced chocolates."
So Cocoa are planning a launch party in the near future which we will be sure to include in our events calendar and weekly newsletter.
