Anastasiades Exclusive Chocolates

Spring 2007

The first thing I noticed as I walked into Anastasiades Exclusive Chocolates was the wonderful aroma--rich, sweet, complex, tinged with cocoa and caramel--the aroma of fine chocolate. 

That aroma tells much of the story of this artisan chocolate maker.  Anastasiades’ chocolates are elegant, high end, top quality, made in small batches, and always fresh.  All the fillings, the brittles and the caramel are made on site with no artificial ingredients.  One of Anastasiades’ hallmarks is attention to detail, explained Sam Anastas, co-owner of the business with his brother Larry. “Each piece must stand on its own, have its own character.”

And what character these chocolates have.  Among Anastasiades’ most popular creations are hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries, old-fashioned turtles (chocolate-dipped clusters of nuts and caramel), cherry cordials, and an array of fine chocolate truffles in flavors like chocolate mint, double dark chocolate, and jazzberry.  I also spied an assortment of other treats including chocolate caramel corn; almond, cashew, and peanut brittles; chocolate coated espresso beans; praline pecans; and dark chocolate raspberry bark.

Sam and Larry are always looking to do something different. Their latest innovation is coating glazed fruits from Australia, including orange peel, pineapple, apricots, pears, and perhaps even kiwi, with rich, creamy, dark or milk chocolate. Anastasiades’ signature creation is a large, beautiful chalice, made entirely of chocolate, overflowing with chocolate-covered strawberries.

The key to Anastasiades’ business, according to Sam, is their focus on their customers.  They make their chocolates with customers’ tastes in mind. They create spectacular gift baskets according to each customer’s requests and have the flexibility to customize products like chocolate bars with a company’s logo.  Anastasiades will even make their chocolate-covered strawberries on demand (24 hours notice is preferred). 

I think Sam summed it up best: “For anyone who loves chocolate, they need to walk through our doors—they will see plenty to bring them back.”

You can find Anastasiades Exclusive Chocolates at 6656 Wise Avenue NW in North Canton, on the web at www.anastasiadeschocolates.com, or by phone at 330-494-5500 or 866-494-1756.  Store hours are Monday through Friday 10-7 and Saturday 10-6.