Vosges Chocolate Plans Dramatic Expansion in North Center

One company’s rapid expansion is meaning big business in North Center, transforming the former Whole Foods bakery into what could be capital of Chicago’s high-end chocolate scene.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat and its even higher-end sister company Wild Ophelia are taking up residency in the former Whole Foods at 2950 N. Oakley Ave., Chicago building permits confirm. However, the estimated renovation budget of $1 million is just the tip of the iceberg.

The company’s owner and chocolatier Katrina Markoff, 40, is making a $10 million investment in Vosges, reports the Chicago Tribune, a move to put her high-end chocolate business on the map. The new 43,000-square-foot location in North Center will be house everything from Vosges’ offices to its manufacturing needs.

"I really wanted people in Chicago to be aware of who we are," Markoff told the Tribune. "If you're a foodie, yes, you know Vosges, but if you're not, you don't."

Markoff, who originally received her training at Paris’ culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, is now mixing up head-turning treats like the Pink Himalayan Crystal Salt Caramel Bar and the popular Mo's Dark Chocolate Bacon Bar.

"I really wanted people in Chicago to be aware of who we are..."

The new space near the Chicago River will not only house all the manufacturing and distributing components of the company, but also new aspects of Vosges like public tours and a new café and gastropub, writes the Tribune. The big move is all to support new clients like Target and Walgreens this summer.

Whole Foods, who occupied the building for almost 15 years, once used the space as a bakery for 10 of its then-16 locations around the city, Chicago Real Estate Daily reports. It closed in 2008 after most Whole Foods installed in-house bakeries.

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