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Mr. Kite's Chocolate, Gold Coast Staple, Reopens in New Wicker Park Digs

By Alisa Hauser | November 24, 2014 9:57am | Updated on November 24, 2014 4:08pm
 Photos inside of Mr. Kite's, a chocolate shop at 2120 W. Division St.
Mr. Kite's at 2120 W. Division St.
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WICKER PARK — Just in time for Thanksgiving, Mr. Kite's, an old-fashioned confectionery that sells caramel apples "as big as your head," among other treats, will be celebrating its first day back in business Monday in a new Wicker Park storefront.

"I am so excited to open today; that was our next goal, to open before Thanksgiving because we did not make it in time for Halloween," said Dominick Gusmanos, owner of Mr. Kite's, a chocolate shop at 2120 W. Division St. in Wicker Park.

Described as "crazy old school hidden treasure" by fans on Yelp, Mr. Kite's offers 100 kinds of chocolate and three varieties of Granny Smith caramel apples dressed with M&Ms, English toffee and crushed Oreo cookies dipped in chocolate and caramel. 

The fancier dressed apples cost $8.95, but they're just $3.75 each when covered with either plain caramel or caramel and crushed peanuts, Gusmanos said.

Though the shop just passed its city inspection a few days ago, Gusmanos said that a staff of five, including himself, is hoping to prepare gift baskets and holiday trays in anticipation of last-minute Thanksgiving holiday orders.

"One of my Gold Coast regulars already called me and put in an order," Gusmanos said.

Gusmanos, a 54-year-old Rogers Park resident, opened Mr. Kite's Chocolate Shop in 1987 at 1153 N. State St., where it operated for 20 years.

In 2007, the impending demolition of the building in which Gusmanos was renting a storefront prompted a moved to 6 W. Maple St. in the Gold Coast. Then renovations in April forced Mr. Kite's out of that location, Gusmanos said.

After searching in several areas for a new home for his business, Gusmanos said he selected Wicker Park's Division Street because "there are a lot of restaurants here, but no ice cream and chocolate stores."

Located just west of the Damen Avenue and Division Street, the shop will have about 100 milk, dark and white chocolate offerings, including best-selling caramel apples, pixies, s'mores made with peanut butter and caramel filling and chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treats, Gusmanos said.

Gusmanos said on Monday that the majority of chocolates will cost $18 per pound. When sold as individual pieces by weight, the chocolates usually cost around $2 to $2.50 each.

Dried apricots, peaches and orange peels that are imported from Australia will cost $23 per pound, while English toffee, truffles and "giant pecan clusters" will be $24 per pound, Gusmanos said.

The shop also plans to sell cupcakes and 16 flavors of ice cream, though the ice cream won't be available until a new machine is installed, Gusmanos said.

For those wondering about the origin of the shop's name: Mr. Kite's pays homage to a former business partner, Henry Kite, who parted ways with Gusmanos within a few years of the shop's opening.

"Everybody calls me Mr. Kite but I am not Mr. Kite," said Gusmanos, who was born in Taiwan and grew up in the Philippines before moving to Chicago at age 21.

Mr. Kite's, 2120 W. Division St., Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during the winter; summer hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Ph: 312-927-5656.

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