Introduction to Hoffman’s Chocolates
Hoffman’s Chocolates, a beloved South Florida-born confectionary, shut down its flagship shop in Greenacres over the weekend, ending nearly 40 years of business and sweet memories. The gourmet shop at 5190 Lake Worth Road served its final treats at 6 p.m. Sunday in the same Tudor-style building it had occupied since the late 1980s. Until recently a working chocolate factory, this Hoffman’s hub captivated a generation of sweets lovers with public factory tours, whimsical winter wonderlands, ice skating and chocolate-covered pretzels in the outdoor gardens.
History of Hoffman’s Chocolates
The company was founded by Paul Hoffman in 1975 out of a downtown Lake Worth Beach storefront at 813 Lucerne Ave., later expanding the store to Greenacres while snapping up 2.5 acres of land around it. A train hobbyist, Hoffman started throwing seasonal Winter Wonderlands on the property in 1989, showcasing an ever-growing collection of model trains, engines, cabooses and tankers winding through a village of tiny homes.
Closure of the Flagship Store
Hoffman’s Chocolates president Ryan Nelson told the Sun Sentinel this week that the building’s owner has new plans for the property. Nelson said the closing marked the “end of a meaningful chapter,” though he assured customers that it’s not the end of Hoffman’s Chocolates in South Florida. The Greenacres closure follows the relocation of the company’s full-scale chocolate factory, which was situated in the same building as the shop, back in 2022. In this 2007 file photo, Bill Kraus and Juana Santos lay out strawberries on a conveyor at Hoffman’s Chocolates in Greenacres to dip them in chocolate. The Greenacres location closed its storefront after nearly 40 years on March 16.
Future of Hoffman’s Chocolates
“Customers can continue to enjoy our legendary, award-winning gourmet chocolates, chocolate-covered treats, fudge, ice cream, and more at any of our five South Florida stores,” Nelson said. Hoffman’s Chocolates, owned by the Fort Lauderdale holding company BBX Capital since 2013, sold the factory building to Saito Holdings LLC in March 2022 for $2.95 million, according to property records. BBX Capital then moved Hoffman’s chocolate-making operations to an 80,000-square-foot facility in Orlando under a new name, Las Olas Confections and Snacks (which also owns brands Williams & Bennett, Anastasia Confections and Money on Honey).
Reaction from the Community
South Florida chocolate lovers reacted to the bittersweet news on social media on Sunday evening, just as the candy hub prepared to close without fanfare, by sharing fond memories of family outings and delicious treats. “No! I grew up right by there and used to work there. One of my first jobs. Wow! How sad,” commenter Sally Hart posted on the Facebook group “Lake Worth Local.” “I remember when I raised my boys [we visited] a Christmas event with the electric trains,” poster Conny Odle-Morgan added. “This is very sad that we’re taking away traditions that were so meaningful.”
Conclusion
The closure of Hoffman’s Chocolates’ flagship store marks the end of an era for the beloved confectionary. While the company will continue to operate its other stores in South Florida, the loss of the Greenacres location will be deeply felt by the community. As the company moves forward, it will be interesting to see how it adapts to the changing landscape of the chocolate industry.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Hoffman’s Chocolates’ flagship store?
A: The store closed its doors on Sunday, March 16, after nearly 40 years of business.
Q: Why did the store close?
A: The building’s owner has new plans for the property, and the company has relocated its chocolate-making operations to a new facility in Orlando.
Q: Will Hoffman’s Chocolates still be available in South Florida?
A: Yes, the company operates five other stores in the area, and customers can continue to enjoy their products at these locations.
Q: What will happen to the Greenacres building?
A: The new owner, Saito Holdings LLC, has not yet announced its plans for the property.
