SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier’s store opening, scheduled for early May at Lakeforest Mall, will capture the hearts and souls of consumers that have yet to sample its exquisite chocolates. Lakeforest Mall, an icon in the upper Montgomery County community since 1978, has been steadily rebuilding its image since undergoing new ownership in late 2012. As part of this transformation, SPAGnVOLA has eagerly joined the ranks to bring an exceptional gourmet chocolate experience to Lakeforest Mall customers.
SPAGnVOLA opened its first boutique and factory in Gaithersburg within the Kentlands community in 2011. SPAGnVOLA’s existing boutique has already become a destination within Gaithersburg that draws chocolate connoisseurs from the Metro DC area and around the world. By joining forces, Lakeforest Mall and SPAGnVOLA will offer consumers of Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, and Germantown another destination to enjoy premium chocolate treats.
“This expansion offers customers greater exposure to our brand, while allowing us to serve the community and expand our business organically,” said Eric Reid, the CEO and Founder of SPAGnVOLA. “Our focus is to elevate the SPAGnVOLA brand to become Gaithersburg’s best chocolate. In doing so, we will bring our product and services to customers who don’t traditionally shop on the west side of Route 355, where our current boutique is located.”
With its grand opening scheduled for early May, SPAGnVOLA will offer customers their signature single-estate gourmet chocolates, artisan gelato and in-house Barista. SPAGnVOLA customers will enjoy its signature hot chocolate – recently rated as one of the 10 best hot chocolates in the Metro DC area – as well as espresso based drinks served directly.
Marketing Director at Lakeforest Mall, Susan Davis, said, “We are thrilled to have Eric and SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier join us at Lakeforest Mall. He’s a successful local entrepreneur offering our consumers an exceptional product. It’s very exciting to be a part of SPAGnVOLA’s continued success.”
When constructing SPAGnVOLA as a vertically integrated business, Eric and Crisoire Reid – husband and wife team – vowed to build a business based on principals and giving opportunities for others to be successful. From their own 450 acre private farm estate in the Dominican Republic, the Reids cultivate and harvest heirloom quality cacao beans. Once fermented and dried, these beans are shipped to SPAGnVOLA’s own manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where they are roasted and freshly ground into premium single-estate chocolate.
As Head Chocolatier, Crisoire Reid creates beautiful, artisan truffles and bonbons that resemble fine jewelry. In addition to serving these edible gems, the Reids open their factory for free tours on the weekends, while hosting chocolate making classes, birthday parties and private events.
“There are many stories of successful entrepreneurship in Gaithersburg, and we are delighted to add SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier to that list,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz. “Not only does SPAGnVOLA offer a product of unparalleled quality, it exemplifies good corporate citizenship and community engagement. We applaud SPAGnVOLA’s expansion to Lakeforest Mall and look forward to their continued success.”
In our pursuit of the best premium chocolate, we are focused on the question: "What will our grandchildren think?” It is through this enlarged lens that we consider the long-term implication of every business decision we make. We are constantly studying the impact on quality and how SPAGnVOLA‘s values are reflected and magnified.
At every step, our values guide all of our decisions and we are as intentional about responsible practices as we are about premium quality. In addition to making the best premium chocolate, we are building a business based on values that we hope will serve as a model and an inspiration to current and future entrepreneurs. From sustainability and premium quality to economic opportunity, education and community, we make all of our decisions based on our values and long-term vision, not our short-term gain.
We practice sustainable farming.
Our transparency shows our pride in the natural resources, people, and artisan processes that yield SPAGnVOLA premium chocolate. Accordingly, we invite everyone to visit our factory and enthusiasm.
