Chocolate Lover and 36 years of bringing wonder to baking
Chocolate Lover Inc., the baking supplies store known for its castle-like facade, has been fulfilling fantasies since 1989. To hobby bakers and entrepreneurs, it was a dependable one-stop shop for all things baking—from chocolates and creams to molds and packaging—that helped bring dream cakes and pastries to life. For my 10-year-old self and other like-minded, imaginative children: an edible chocolate castle straight out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.
In the 36 years it’s been in business, Chocolate Lover Inc. has brought interest and wonder to baking, for both professionals seeking supplies and even your typical sweet tooth.
Unfortunately, even for a castle as iconic as this, all good things must come to an end. Annie Carmona-Lim, the owner of Chocolate Lover Inc., announced that the shop will officially be closing this December.
“Tatlong taon ko na pong iniiyakan ito. Kasi hindi ko kaya talaga—baby ko kasi ito. Pero kailangan ko na magsabi ng goodbye. Marami pong salamat,” confirmed Carmona-Lim in the video posted on Nov. 18.
End of an era
“Ayaw na rin po manahin ng mga anak ko. Okay na po kami sa ibang bansa. Ako naman po ay mag-aalaga na lang ng apo kasi matanda na rin ako. Hirap na rin ako mag biyahe-biyahe,” said Carmona-Lim, citing the lack of an inheritor as the primary reason for closing shop.
“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin naman ‘yong pagbebenta namin hanggang sa araw na iyon… Hindi namin pababayaan ‘yong mga customers namin na kung kailan nila kailangan ngayong Pasko bibitawan namin, hindi po. ‘Yong dedication ng Chocolate Lover sa mga nagbi-business, gano’n pa rin po ‘yong support namin,” she added, assuring patrons that they will be open to accommodate their Christmas baking needs.
Chocolate Lover Inc. will continue operations until Dec. 27.
Carmona-Lim has always loved baking. Even before coming up with the idea for Chocolate Lover Inc., she made ensaymadas to sell while fighting cancer. Later on in 1989, after recovering from her illness, she opened the baking supplies store from a small apartment with a capital of just P6,000.
In an episode of “My Puhunan” in 2017, Carmona-Lim revealed that she commissioned the construction of the chocolate castle, not only in response to a growing number of customers, but also as a symbol of her business’s sudden growth—with the castle representing a fairy tale/fantasy coming true.
The chocolate castle, located at P. Tuazon in Cubao, is currently for sale. But until a buyer is found, Carmona-Lim is open to renting out the space.
Chocolate lovers forever
“Kung ayaw po ng mga anak niyo na manahin itong Chocolate Lover, ako po, pwedeng-pwede po ako. Pagod na po ako maging mahirap. Maraming salamat,” said Jay-Ar Tabor on TikTok, in response to the store’s announcement.
Meanwhile, Madelspatisserie, a baking creator on TikTok, shared how Chocolate Lover Inc. played a part in their baking journey. “Noong nagsisimula ako sa pagbe-bake year 2015, ito ang takbuhan ko pagdating sa mga ingredients at boxes para sa baking. Kumpleto kase dito, at lahat ng kailangan mo andito na. Ito lang din kase ang bilihan noon ng mga baking materials.”
I may not know how to bake, but I fondly recall visiting Chocolate Lover with my family and buying their dried cranberries. I remember sneakily snacking on them, despite my mother needing them for a pastry.
Chocolate Lover Inc. has undoubtedly left its mark on all who’ve come across it. After all, while we now have baking supply stores in virtually every mall, nothing compares to the wonder of passing by a literal castle in the middle of Cubao, and the excitement of entering a store with everything one can ever need for baking.
