After more than two decades on Main Street, the Chocolate Delicacy is moving 3.3 miles away to Warwick, just off Centerville Road.
“We’ve been on Main Street for 22 years and East Greenwich has been very good to us,” said Marie Schaller, who owns the business with her husband, David. “We’re ready for a new challenge and hoping to gain a few more customers.”
Schaller said the new building at 28 Gilbane St. is similar in size to the current site at 219 Main St. but the access is easier, the layout is better, and there will be at least 12 parking spaces.
The parking spaces are no small matter. Over the years, the Schallers have held the town to account when new businesses have moved to Main Street looking for a zoning variance for parking. The biggest showdown took place in 2010, when the Schallers filed an appeal in Superior Court of a Zoning Board decision to grant Thorpe’s & Verdi gift store a parking variance so it could open at 214 Main St.
Dave and Marie Schaller, who own the Chocolate Delicacy.
The Schallers argued they were not anti-business, but rather wanted to keep the few available parking spaces on Main Street open for their customers.
Thorpe’s & Verdi was eventually allowed to open but closed its doors by 2012.
“I wish good luck to everybody in the area,” said Marie Schaller. “I hope everybody continues to be successful.”
One of their main reasons for moving was because they want to be more visible from the road. That wasn’t possible on Main Street, said Schaller.
“If you’re driving along, you’re not going to be looking at the shops because you’d hit a pedestrian,” said Schaller. “It’s very hard to see us.”
East Greenwich resident Jay Patel, owner of several Orange Leaf locations – including the one at 1000 Division St. – bought the building at 219 Main St. There is a large “for rent” sign on the building.
As for when the move will happen, they’ve still got a couple months left in their shop on Main Street . It will remain open through Easter or longer, said Schaller, depending on how long it takes to renovate the new building.
Sign up for the EG News newsletter here. You can like us on Facebook here, or follow us on Twitter (@egreenwichnews) here.
And, if you like what you’re reading, consider supporting East Greenwich News by clicking here.
Subscribe
it’s too bad, but understandable. Symposium Books made the move, and I think it’s paid off. Parking is tough on Main Street! Wishing them well at their new location.
We will continue to support this store in Warwick and I wish them success in their new location. It’s one of our back to school and return from school family traditions for our children to pick out a treat from here!
Its a shame that another business is leaving. I understand though as I dont think there is enough shops on Main Street for them to get a good footfall into the shop. I know we only visit Main street when we are looking to eat out.
Good riddance! They chased other businesses away to preserve parking for their customers only to abandon Main Street anyway. They were anti-any business but their own.
Agreed Amanda. Nothing but complaints as far back as I can remember – and I really like the idea of a chocolate shop on Main St! Their new location is a huge failure – it’s on an industrial street off of 117, a street that people fly while on their way home to the far reaches of Warwick. Huge step backwards IMHO – they never figured out how to maximize their exposure on Main St, work with restaurants, etc, which would have made a huge difference.
Gilbane Street is the back way to Cowesett Hills apts with industrial type buildings on the street. Not really a retail setting. I only go down that road if I need an MRI or it’s snowing and Apponaug is clocked with traffic. I would have waited until the redirecting of roads is completed to see where and what my frontage would be.