Family-Owned Chocolate Shoppe Brings Sweet Memories To Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — When you walk through the door of the Chocolate Shoppe in Long Valley, you are greeted by the sight of numerous variations of carefully made chocolate and candies.

The Chocolate Shoppe, one of the area's locally and family-owned chocolatiers and candy makers, has focused on handcrafted and decadent creations since the family that runs the local operation took over the business in 2006.

Darleen and Mike Wizorek have owned the Chocolate Shoppe, a popular local candy store, since 2006, when they purchased the original Washington Township, Warren County location after learning more about the business and the "art of chocolate."

The couple first opened their second location in Mendham in 2009, but it was destroyed by fire in 2016. They didn't realize it at the time, but this was a watershed moment for their company, bringing The Chocolate Shoppe to their hometown of Long Valley, according to their daughter, Emily Oldmixon.

Chocolate has been the store's signature offering for more than 40 years, and the Wizorek family has been involved in the craft for nearly as long.

According to Oldmixon, her oldest sister, Erin Carrajat, began working in the chocolate industry in 1995, when she got a part-time job at Mangels' Chocolates in Chester while in high school. Her other sister, Jes Wizorek, followed suit, as did her mother, herself, and her brother eventually.

"We all learned so much about the chocolate business and developed a love for it through working for Bob and Sandra Bisk, the owners of Mangels, who became dear friends," Oldmixon said.

Darleen and Mike are originally from Florham Park, but they relocated to Long Valley in 1983, where they raised their family. Oldmixon and her siblings all graduated from West Morris Central and went on to earn degrees in animal science, criminology, marketing, and accounting from various New Jersey colleges.

Oldmixon said that today, everyone in the family contributes to the business in some way, with her, her mother, and her sister Jes all working full-time.

"My dad is a mechanical engineer and helps with all our equipment, including digitizing equipment from the early 1900s. My sister, Erin, works when she can (she is a large animal vet tech and owns Snowbird Farms in Long Valley, with her husband, Frank); and my brother Dan and his wife, Steph, are both accountants who also lend a hand here in the busy seasons," Oldmixon said.

Despite the fact that they are primarily a family-owned business, Oldmixon stated that they currently have several wonderful employees in addition to their family. Although Oldmixon stated that the family has six grandchildren who are eager to become Oompa Loompas.

The Chocolate Shoppe differs from other candy and chocolate shops in that they make about 80 percent of their showcase candy in-house and hand mold all of their molds on-site, according to Oldmixon.

"We don’t use much in the way of automated equipment; this allows us to maintain the old-fashion home-made, hand-dipped chocolate quality," Oldmixon said.

The shop, which sells caramel and chocolate-dipped apples, hot chocolate bombs, homemade chocolate and peanut butter creations, and a variety of Easter-themed treats, takes pride in its originality and passion for the craft.

"It is a sticky job, but someone has to do it," Oldmixon said.

Back in November, the store celebrated its fifth anniversary in Long Valley and 42 years in business, which was recognized by Mayor Matthew Murello, who posted about the occasion on social media.

"We are so grateful to see how much our business and clientele have and continue to grow. From the customers who live just down the street to those who drive 1–2 hours a few times a year just to get their fix of our quality sweets," Oldmixon said. "It is an honor to be known as the ‘chocolate ladies’ or ‘candy ladies’ by both the kids and parents when we are out and about in town. We hope to continue to bring you all the chocolate you deserve, hopefully for future generations to come."

The Chocolate Shoppe is located at 62 East Mill Road in Long Valley and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Visit them online at www.ChocolateNJ.com or call 908-867-2000.