Charles Chocolates signed a 10-year lease with Westfield San Francisco Centre to begin building its flagship retail store and open kitchen. The retail store is scheduled to open in November and the kitchen is scheduled to be completed in January.

This agreement is the first step in creating the new home for Charles Chocolates' open kitchen in the heart of San Francisco. Currently, the Charles Chocolates retail store is on the third floor of Westfield San Francisco Centre.
"We are seeing a resurgence and resilience of manufacturing businesses in the city, particularly artisanal manufacturing," said Mayor Gavin Newsom in a statement. "Charles Chocolates not only represents the best in the art of chocolate making, but is part of a wave that is bringing manufacturing to the center of innovation and creativity that is San Francisco."

With this project, located on the fourth floor of the mall, Charles Chocolates sets to improve upon the chocolate kitchen it opened four years ago in Emeryville.

The shop will include the complete selection of Charles Chocolates artisan products, handmade ice cream, house-made pastries and an espresso bar. Behind the shop will be a completely glassed in 5,000-square-foot commercial confection kitchen.

Source: Charles Chocolates