Sweet Decadence wins award for best chocolate in Western Washington
November 6, 2009
By Tim Pfarr
Newcastle chocolate shop Sweet Decadence won first place in the chocolate category of King 5 TV’s annual Best of Western Washington awards.
Sweet Decadence, located at 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 100 in Newcastle, recently won an award for best chocolate in Western Washington. By Tim Pfarr
“I was like, ‘Shut up,’” owner Sandra Wixon said with a laugh, recalling when she heard the news.
She estimated there were 40 to 50 businesses competing in the chocolate category.
Wixon and Sweet Decadence were featured in a segment on the television program “Evening Magazine” Oct. 29.
The shop specializes in truffles, and offers an arsenal of different treats to please even the pickiest eater.
Wixon said she thinks the shop’s most delicious treats are the dark salt caramels.
In addition to food, the shop also hosts classes as well as weekly events, such as chocolate and wine pairings every Saturday.
Wixon opened Sweet Decadence on May 1, 2008. She said she opened the shop because she was looking to find something she really loved. She said the process of opening seemed to pass quickly, as the pieces “just kind of fell into place.
“It went from ‘wouldn’t that be cool’ to ‘oh my god, we’re opening,’” Wixon said.
Within a year of opening, Sweet Decadence began to receive regional recognition, taking third place in the chocolate category in the 2008 Best of Western Washington awards.
“It was awesome,” Wixon said.
However, the task of running the shop is not an easy one. Although Wixon has the help of six employees, a junior apprentice and her husband, she still spends 12 to 14 hours at the shop each day. She said it is the community that makes it worthwhile.
Wixon said she knows the names of 20 percent to 25 percent of her customers, and even some of her customers’ pets’ names.
“We know their dogs’ names,” she said.
For now, Wixon said she’s happy with her shop’s progress, and said she plans to continue being herself and making chocolate.
“I like where we’re at,” she said.
On the Web www.sweet-decadence.com
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