Exotic Chocolates

Our shop is called Exotic Chocolates and we are over at Malabar Hill Kemps Corner 12. It’s a small place in a very quiet neighborhood. It’s not like the busy markets in other parts of the city. We have a few glass cases where we keep the chocolates. We make everything right here in the small room behind the shop. It’s mostly just me and one helper. We spend a lot of time melting the chocolate and pouring it into molds. My hands are usually covered in brown streaks by noon. We use little gold foils to wrap the pieces. It’s slow work and your fingers get cramped after a few hours. The shop smells very strongly of cocoa, which some people like and some find too much. We don't have a lot of customers every day, but the ones who come have been coming for years. We have some jars of nuts and dried fruits on the shelves too. The air conditioner has to stay on all the time so the chocolate doesn't melt, so it’s always a bit chilly inside. Sometimes the door squeaks when people walk in. We don't have any big signs or bright lights. It’s just a quiet little business. We just focus on getting the wrapping right and making sure the trays are full. It is a very peaceful way to spend the day.