Framingham/Natick Retail NewsCenter

Moonstruck Chocolate Co. Opens First East Coast Chocolate Cafe

Title: Moonstruck Chocolate Co. Opens First East Coast Chocolate Cafe, Company Sets Up Shop at Natick Collection in the Boston Area

Author: Press Release

Publication: Press Release

Date of Publication: October 19, 2007

Corresponding Retail Development: Natick Collection 2007 Expansion

Corresponding Town: Natick

Web Site Link: http://sev.prnewswire.com/retail/20071019/AQF00319102007-1.html

Text:

NATICK, Mass., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Moonstruck Chocolate Co. today opened its first Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe on the East Coast at the Natick Collection mall outside of Boston. The Natick Collection Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe in Natick, Mass. represents the company's twelfth cafe nationally and the third of five new cafes opening across the country this fall.

"We are thrilled to be introducing Moonstruck Chocolate Cafes to the East Coast," said Delmar Fuhrman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moonstruck Chocolate Co. "We already have a Moonstruck Chocolate following in the Boston area because of our retail presence, and we are excited to now bring our cafe experience to chocolate lovers in the region."

To celebrate the opening of the Natick Collection Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe, customers who purchase an espresso or chocolate beverage at the cafe Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 21, and mention this promotion will receive a complimentary truffle of their choice. The cafe will also be offering customers chocolate samples throughout the weekend.

Moonstruck Chocolate Cafes offer Moonstruck Chocolatier's full line of classic and seasonal handcrafted artisan chocolates. The cafes also serve unique espresso and chocolate beverages, including handmade milkshakes, that feature Moonstruck Chocolate. In addition, customers can enjoy fresh pastries and decadent desserts, all in a relaxed and comfortable cafe setting.

There are currently five Moonstruck Chocolate Cafes in the Portland area, two in the San Francisco Bay area, two in the Detroit area, one in Chicago and one in Champaign, Ill. In addition to the Natick Collection cafe, two more cafes are scheduled to open in the Chicago and Washington, D.C. areas in the coming weeks, and additional cafes are planned for the Chicago and New York City (2) areas by 2009.

About Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

Established in 1993, Moonstruck Chocolate Co. was founded on the premise that chocolate is not simply a candy, but an experience to be enjoyed by all the senses. Moonstruck Chocolate Co. uses only the finest and freshest ingredients, including chocolate that originates from some of the most rare and highest quality cocoa beans in the world. The award-winning artisan chocolates are handcrafted, hand-decorated and hand-packaged in Portland, Ore. The company also owns and operates nine Moonstruck Chocolate Cafes in Oregon, California and Illinois and has announced plans to open eight more cafes across the country by 2009.

Moonstruck Chocolate was the official chocolate of the 77th and 78th Annual Academy Awards(R) gift baskets and the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The Ellen DeGeneres Show currently features Moonstruck Chocolate's "Crescent Moon" collection in gift bags the show provides to its celebrity guests.

Moonstruck Chocolate products are available at all Moonstruck Chocolate Cafes, at select retailers and fine grocers across the country, online and by phone. For additional information about Moonstruck Chocolate and to view the complete line of products, please visit www.moonstruckchocolate.com or call 1- 800-557-MOON.