Being featured by other businesses, magazines and newspapers means the world to a small business like us…
Click on any of the icons below to see what others have to say about us!
Or continue reading about us……
What have we acheived so far?
MINI MASTERCLASSES
Our shiny new mini masterclasses start this month! We are so excited and what a line of flavours we have.
THE CHOCOLATE BLOG
Our blog is a place where our customers can see what we have been up to and where we can share important information.
ONLINE STORE
Slabs, Mail order brownies and our subscription boxes are all available to purchase online.
We will be adding more as and when..
NEW HOURS
We are trying hard to find the work-life balance, so we are trailing a 4 day week to allow time for production and classes.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Working with a virtual assistant has enabled us to serve more customers and bring new ways to share our chocolately goodness.
REDUCE WASTE OR PUT IT TO USE
It is important for us to continually be thinking of new ways to reduce and reuse waste now, for our future.
SUPPORTING OUR FUTURE
We train work experience students so they are able to gain skills that will enable them in their future careers.
ENCOURAGING INCLUSION
We don’t discriminate, no one should. We proudly support our staff in personal circumstances and work.
LISTENING TO OUR CUSTOMERS
With an increased need for specific dietary requirements regardless of choice or allergy reasons, we listened and provided.
ECO MATTERS
One of our wonderful staff members uses quality food scraps to feed her animals at home. She also takes home any food waste unsuitable for animal feed and composts it, along with used coffee grounds, if customers don’t take them first.
(All in accordance with legal restrictions in place for disease control to prevent any outbreaks of disease)
100% RECYCLED COFFEE GRINDS
We offer the coffee grinds free of charge for use in gardens but also body scrubs (that are amazing) including a recipe. This reduces our waste significantly and 100% is recycled or composted.
DISCOUNTS FOR REUSABLE CUPS
We offer a discount for all customers that bring their own cup (we don’t care if it was bought in the shop, reusable is reusable).
RECYCLED
BOXES
Our delivery boxes are offered free of charge to customers, they go quick and reusing them is far better than recycling where possible.
RECYCLED COFFEE SACKS
Our Aprons are recycled coffee sacks and are made by the farmers with the money going back into the community.
WE’VE JOINED
TOO GOOD TO GO
Sustainability has always been at the heart of our business, and this is another step towards that! Download the app now!
SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES
We are continuing to find ways to support local charities and donations are made each year to local groups for fundraising.
RECYCLING & REUSING:
THE STATS
CHARITY WORK
We offer a drop-off service in the cafe for the local food bank where we will take it for you along with any items we are dropping off, ideal for those wanting to offer their support as well as giving our own donations.
Over £750 worth of donations are made each year to local groups for fundraising. (Boxes of chocolate, Afternoon tea gift vouchers etc).
Monthly donations to Willows Animal Sanctuary and Guide Dogs as well as other local charities.
Food bank donations
Monthly collections for various children’s and cancer charities
Winter drop-off point for animal feed for local charities.
Support local people with ASN.
OUR COFFEE & CHOCOLATE
Origins of Chocolate
We use chocolate produced from all over the world, to allow chocolate connoisseurs to enjoy their favourite regions.
The chart below depicts the popularity of our selection.
Coffee Beans Origins
Our coffee is triple certified (Fairtrade, rainforest alliance and organically produced.
THE VALUES OF THE CHOCOLATE BAR
It is extremely important to us that we use the right mix of ingredients (our core elements) to provide the best possible service to our customers and continue finding new ways to help the planet.
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
We used to assist a young man with ASN, he flourished in the cafe over the 9 years he was with us and has since moved on to a new chapter in his life at Newton Dee. We now have a lovely young lady one day a week and find that this environment has promoted;
Self confidence
Coping with busy situations
Coping with noise
Sense of achievement
Baking skills
Food preparation skills
Computer skills
Elements of service
Better understanding (for staff and customers alike)
Most importantly happiness
It is incredibly rewarding seeing the improvements and the impact this has on an individual, not just during working activities but in their personal life also. We are proud to encourage and promote equality for everyone.
EVENTS
We offer a range of workshops and parties but are excited to launch the hire of the shop in an evening for groups and other artists etc in our community that would like it.
Local groups such as friendships, crafters etc. are able to rent the shop in the evenings. No profit is made from this, the money charged covers the cost of staff and bills.
IN THE PRESS
SOCIETY ABERDEEN
EVENING EXPRESS
LOCAL PAPERS
This statement was sent to local papers on the news of being shortlisted for the Scottish Cafe Awards in 2018.
SCOTTISH FIELD MAGAZINE
SMALL BUSINESS FOCUS
LISTENING TO OUR CUSTOMERS
With an increased need for specific dietary requirements regardless of choice or allergy reasons, we listened and now provide:
Vegan Cakes (toffee cake, cookies and cream loaf, lemon and chai loaf among many more offerings)
Milk alternatives (we have soya, coconut, oat and almond) so all tastes and requirements are covered
We offer GF brownies, muffins, carrot cake, chocolate cake, lemon cake and many more
Most the soups we offer are GF and vegan (except from the occasional meat one)
We don’t have GF bread as we have never found one we love but we do offer customers to bring their own if they would like it and that seems to work well as they can provide what they like bread wise
All our eggs are free range, our products are locally sourced where we can and of the highest quality.
REVIEWS
Keeping it local!
“Great coffee and fab selection of homemade cakes. We’ve only had take out coffee but every time we are in it is always busy. Great local coffee shop and friendly staff. Definitely our local for coffee….”
— Viv P
Really wish we lived closer!
“Have had a lovely holiday with a visit to the chocolate bar most days for a couple of tasty chocolates. Maybe just as well for my waistline. Would highly recommend a visit if you’re near by. Great cofffe too.”
— Karen R
Will definitely be back!
“Had a lovely afternoon. The service was brilliant, they really went over and above to ensure we all had a great time. The brownies were absolutely amazing 😋, will definitely be back 😍”
— Debra R
If there was a ten star review option I would give that!
“Lived in Ellon for 6 years and first time I had been in here. Was craving something sweet after the gym so had a honeycomb mocha. Oh sweet baby jebus it was the best mocha I’ve had ever. If there was a ten star review option I would give it that.
It might be the sugar high talking but don’t just walk past this place, nip in and have a look.
No am not related to the owners in anyway lol.”
— Bryan H
Would Highly Recommend!
“What a lovely place, came here for lunch with my two grandsons, staff couldn’t be more helpful especially with my youngest who has special needs.
Kira and Lynn couldn’t of been more helpful, the understanding and help was amazing and appreciated.
Would highly recommend!
Plus the food and cakes were amazing 😋x”
— Kathleen G
Great stuff comes in little boxes!
“My wife and I are now probably regulars and have reviewed before. An Americano and a sandwich early afternoon is an experience not to be missed. A Large Americano is what it says “Large”! The coffee is made to perfection and the sandwiches require two hands to lift. I love the ambience and the staff are both friendly and efficient. However, the place is small and at busy times seats are at a premium. Nevertheless, the are stools outside for either the smokers, the dogwalkers or the hopefully 2019 Summer.
Great place, great staff and wish it opened on a Sunday!”
— Rennie C
IMPORTANT NEWS
MINI MASTERCLASSES
We now run a monthly masterclass, focusing on a new collection flavours each month making Truffles, Bark and Bars centered around them.
MONTHLY
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Delicious subscription boxes with all our Slabs and Mail order brownies. Yum!
IMPROVING
CUSTOMER SERVICE
We are always striving to improve our customer service to give the best experience possible.
STAFF TRAINING
We train our staff to enable them to have the skills to provide the best coffee, chocolate and customer experience.
BEE BOMBS
Promoting the benefits of Bees and our eco system with the sale of Bee Bombs.
COLOUR SYSTEM
New colour system for vibrant chocolates and funky products.
