Whetstone Chocolates - St. Augustine Family Business since 1967
Tomorrow is my mother's birthday, so I had to stop by Whetstone Chocolates to get her some dark chocolate truffles and dark chocolate. She likes all kinds of chocolate, but I am partial to dark chocolate and was hoping she would share. Every year I get her Whetstone Chocolates. Every year I wrap the box and we both laugh as we both know what is inside (or what had better be inside!). She doesn't live in St. Augustine, but Whetstone Chocolate is her favorite chocolate (and mine, too!).
Virginia Whetstone, President of Whetstone Chocolate, is a friend of mine. Yes, I do choose my friends wisely. I was first introduced to her years ago when I first moved to St. Augustine by my college roommate, a local CPA and native of St. Augustine (as is Ms. Whetstone). My former roommate introduced us as she thought we would share similar interests as I am industrial engineer and Virginia owns a "factory". Once I learned she owned a CHOCOLATE factory, I became a great friend and fan of hers.
Virginia gave me a personal tour that evening and said I could help myself to some chocolates. I didn't know her well enough at the time (nor did she know me well enough either or she would not have made such a generous offer that could have bankrupted her!), so I only sampled a few pieces. I had found my new home away from home.
I am a big chocoholic. I have chocolate every day and sometimes multiple times a day. So, when I say Whetstone has the best chocolate, trust me.
So, today I got dark chocolate truffles: rum, raspberry, amaretto, and chocolate. I then threw in some of Virginia's Select Blend. I just sampled some for breakfast. Hey, it is packaged in a coffee bean like bag, so I got confused. 
More than 1/2 of the chocolate is missing ("someone" ate it...), but wanted you to see the bag.
And besides, dark chocolate is good for you. I selected the Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa called Menendez. Pedro Menendez is the founder of St. Augustine. She names her Select Blend after different St. Augustine Streets. Here are the different pure chocolates (Select Blends) offered:
- Menendez Dark Chocolate 72% Cocoa
- De Leon Dark Chocolate 47% Cocoa
- San Marco White Chocolate 0% Cocoa
- Aviles Milk Chocolate 31% Cocoa
Whetstones also has pure chocolate from other countries:
- Java Origin Milk Chocolate 32% Cocoa
- Ecuador Origin Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa
- Ghana Origin Dark Chocolate 60% Cocoa
- Madagascar Origin Dark Chocolate 66% Cocoa
Norma Morris helped me with my selection today. I also met Jose Lopez, Whetstone's Operations Manager. 
He oversees operations at their two stores (see below for locations) and their factory. Their factory moved and is no longer open to the public. It was such a wonderful attraction, but as long I still get to enjoy their chocolate, I am not complaining.
I was at the store on Anastasia Island today. There is a great selection plus a relaxing seating area.
View history on the company.
Stores
DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE
open 7 days, Sun- Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm
42 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 | 904.825.1720
ANASTASIA ISLAND
8:30 am - 6 pm, Mon - Sat and 9:00 am - 4 pm, Sun
13 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080 | 904.825.1725
Please visit Whetstone Chocolates. You can thank me later.
Barbara Jenness has lived in the North Beach, St. Augustine area since 1998 and is an active community volunteer. She met Virgina Whetstone in 1995. She is President of Friends of A1A, vice-president of the local community association North Shores Improvement Association (NSIA), Board member of Vilano Beach Main Street since 1998 and has assisted with the redevelopment of Vilano Beach since 1998. She is a member of the Porpoise Point Homeowner's Association. She was selected as Businesswoman of the Year last year by the Women's Council of REALTORS in St. Augustine because of her community involvement. Additionally she was selected as the 2008 REALTOR of the Year for St. Augustine.
Comments(5)