The Cranston Chocolate Shop For Last Minute Valentine's Sweets
How is it almost Valentine’s Day? I have restaurants sending me Super Bowl menus (I’m all about nachos and couldn’t care less about the actual game, in case you were wondering) and just wrapped an article for Saint Patrick’s in March, but Cupid snuck up this year.
That doesn’t mean, howevs, that I’m going to run out to a chain drugstore and pick up a box of mass market candy. No way, no how!
I mean, there are plenty of locals who craft it by hand, including my old friends over at Aura’s in Cranston who have solid chocolate hearts (hollow ones are a bit tragic in my opinion), strawberry and ROSE PETAL (!!!) topped chocolate bars, and in an unexpected but entirely charming twist, a yellow passion fruit heart (see photo above) that looks like a literal work of art fit for a king or 👑 queen.
Keep scrolling to find more about Aura and her Chocolate Bar on East Street in the Mayfield section of Cranston.
Meet The Maker
Hi! I’m Aura Fajardo of Aura’s Chocolate Bar: I’m a chocolatier, mom, born and raised in Venezuela, and proud resident of Rhode Island since 2004.
My biggest inspiration is my family, my ancestors; they taught me resilience and the value of education in an ever changing world.
I started as a graphic designer and life just swirled me into another direction that turned out to be my “super power” — chocolate work!
What’s Cooking On East Street In Cranston
As a chocolatier, my philosophy is that everything I make has to bring not only joy but possibly a wow factor.
In my early days as a business owner I envisioned my brand offering premium chocolate made from fine ingredients, sourced locally if possible, and not much has changed other than the fact that now I’m also incorporating snack staples such as gummy bears or pop rocks to cater kids and kids at heart now.
Creating new and exciting chocolate confections and seeing people’s faces when they are enjoying them makes me happy and keeps me going on the difficult road of being a small business owner.
Favorite Rhode Island Food & Restaurants
I’m a fan of the food scene here in Rhode Island, some of my favorites are Hometown Poke for breakfast toasts and casual dining and Gracie’s for when I’m celebrating something.
When I want good Latin fusion food I usually go to Los Andes or La Arepa which is food from my homeland! Arepas, empanadas, tequeños…I can never choose just one thing!
Find Aura’s Chocolate Bar at 250 East Street in Cranston, Rhode Island. You can also shop online at AurasChocolateBar.com.
To keep up with the latest happenings, follow @AurasChocolate on INSTA.
As always, if you zip over or call in a phone order (they are open Friday, Feb. 11th from 3:30 to 6pm) after reading this, please do let them know that you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.
Photo Credits: Above images are courtesy of Aura’s Chocolate Bar and Gracie’s, Los Andes and La Arepa Instagrams. Toast images courtesy of Florencia Potter. Thumbnail photo used with permission via Getty Images.