Chocolate Village Of Hazlet Has Treats, Boo Bags For Halloween

HAZLET, NJ — For just over three decades the Chocolate Village of Hazlet has been supplying the area with sweets. With Halloween coming up, they've got lots to offer.

If you're in the mood for some spooky treats like tombstone Vienna fingers they've got them. If you want to pick up a boo bag, theirs comes complete with a cheery Halloween poem.

"You've been boo'd and it's your turn to share/ With friends and neighbours, anyone you dare," the poem reads.

However, if you're someone who would rather spend a weekend afternoon making your own customized treats at home, you can also stop by and pick up some candy-making supplies, including a variety of molds and candy decorations.

The store has always had two women at the helm.

Sisters Maryann Smith and Leeann Poulos have been running the show since Smith took over the business in 1998.

They do everything themselves from managing the place to making the chocolates in a small kitchen in the back.

"We've increased business at least 10 times over, if not more [since taking over]," Smith told Patch. "It's just been a slow and gradual build-up."

Before owning the shop, she was a customer who made candy at home just for fun.

She took a few classes from the original founders, Liz and Joann, who opened the store in 1990.

"I would just joke with them that I would buy the place when they retired. And then when they decided to retire they did reach out to me," Smith said.

Here are Chocolate Village of Hazlet's store hours:

• Monday - Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. 4 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

For Halloween, you can pick up a themed treat platter for $25. It includes chocolate-covered graham crackers, chocolate-covered mini chocolate chip, oreos and vienna finger cookies, chocolate-covered caramel popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels and a sugar cookie.

The boo bags are on sale $10.

For more information and updates visit their Facebook page.