A first look inside Ghirardelli’s first store in New York
Life in Midtown Manhattan will be a little sweeter starting August 6, when New York City’s first-ever Ghirardelli chocolate and ice cream shop makes its decadent debut at the Empire State Building. The beloved brand currently operates 16 candy stores across the country, mostly in California, and this store will be its first in the Northeast.
Expect the Empire State Building store to become a go-to spot for milkshakes, brownies, chocolate-covered strawberries, hot chocolate sundaes, and, of course, those classic foil-wrapped chocolate squares. Ahead of its opening in a few weeks (at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6 with 102 free sundaes, by the way), here’s a sneak peek at the stunningly beautiful store.
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Decadent treats
It’s all about chocolate here: dark chocolate, mint chocolate, caramel milk chocolate, white chocolate, raspberry dark chocolate, and more. Brightly colored chocolate squares in clear bins are a feast for the eyes as you enter the store. You can grab a bag to fill with your own assortment of candies to choose from (for $12.95/half pound) or buy a pre-packaged mix to take home.
In addition to chocolates, Ghirardelli is known for its hot chocolate sundaes, and you can choose from a variety of sundae options here. There’s the world-famous classic hot chocolate sundae, the chocolate lover’s hot chocolate sundae, the Gold Rush Caramel Almond Sundae, and the Mint Bliss Hot Chocolate Sundae, just to name a few.
Other options include milkshakes and frozen hot chocolate. There’s even a bakery with treats like brownies and cookies.
A beautiful design
The interior design puts chocolate in the spotlight in a creative way. For example, chocolate caramels in gold wrappers fill a replica of the Empire State Building, making the Art Deco design shine. Decorative wooden panels in the shape of square chocolates almost seem to bite into them. Classic blue and gold tiles wrap around the bar, evoking the brand’s colors.
A neon sign reads “Ghirardelli Makes Life a Bite Better in New York,” which seems fitting once you bite into a piece of that chocolate. Another sign explains how to pronounce the brand name: “Say Gear-Ar-Delly!”
With tables and bar stools, there’s plenty of space to sit and enjoy a treat while you’re there.
A tribute to Ghirardelli’s California roots
The company was founded in 1852 in San Francisco by Domingo Ghirardelli. A replica of Ghirardelli’s historic sign evokes its California heritage. Ghirardelli, an Italian immigrant, decided to bring his love of chocolate to California during the Gold Rush era, Steve Genzoli, the company’s vice president of quality assurance, explained at an introductory event.
The company says it is committed to using high-quality, sustainably sourced cocoa beans to ensure a rich, smooth chocolate flavor.
How to find it
Find NYC Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop on the ground floor of the Empire State Building (20 West 34th Street). The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
