Fran's new production facility in the old Rainier Brewery in the Georgetown part of Seattle.
Need something to do with your out of town guests or children on holiday from school? I have a great idea, and most of my ideas involve chocolate. Visit the headquarters of Fran's Chocolates in Georgetown.
Fran's Chocolates is a Seattle icon. They've been here for over 30 years making perfect fresh chocolate confections. Their caramels are even the choice gift of the Obama's at the White House.
The industrial bones of the old brewing company with Fran's polish.
A few years ago they took over the old Rainier Brewery in Georgetown, cleaned it up, added some elegant features keeping the great old bones and details of the building and brewery. This is now their production facility with a beautiful retail shop and coffee, tea, and drinking chocolate service.
As soon as you walk through the doors the scent of fresh chocolates greets your senses.
The confection counter with plenty of natural light and seating to the side.
The space is vintage industrial yet refined and graceful, as Fran's always is. I love that they kept the old floor tiles as a part of the building.
The original floor tiles of the Seattle Brewing and Malting Co are still visible.
Watching chocolates being hand dipped via the viewing window is something you don't want to miss I could watch all day but the window is only open until 2.
Perfection in process
Because they are fanatic about quality, chocolates are usually shipped within 24 hours of being made to ensure they are fresh when they arrive in your home.
freshly dipped
I love the table and can just imagine it filled with friends toasting drinking chocolate together! I'm looking forward to hosting classes there in early 2016.
The long table in front of the espresso bar at Fran's seats at least 10
Check hours on their site www.Franschocolates.com.Typically open 10-6 Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.
I owe heaps of gratitude to Bei and the entire Fran's family for inviting me and showing me around your beautiful factory and showroom!
A few more photos from my visit.
The staircase is also a part of the original architecture.
Gorgeous figs hand dipped in chocolate.
The popular salted caramels.
Ready to ship
Fran's Chocolates, always elegant
Behind the scenes with chef Scott Carsberg and retail operations manager Bei-lu Wang.
This has to be the biggest chocolate turkey I've ever seen! Every year Fran's makes these turkeys around Thanksgiving, this one was a prototype.
