NORTH PARK — It's a sad day for sweets lovers as Beijo de Chocolat owner Laura Case announced she'll be closing up shop March 5.
Case shared the news with Beijo's fans on Facebook, thanking loyal customers for "7 heartfelt years in North Park."
Chicago's loss is Michigan's gain. A Detroit native, Case is moving back to her home state, where she plans to relocate Beijo's retail operation.
"I have some wonderful opportunities to grow my business there and be near my family," she wrote.
A former TV news producer, Case turned to candy making after spending more than 20 years working for Fox and CBS affiliates.
"It started kind of grinding on me. I wanted to do something that made me happy, but was still creative," she previously told DNAinfo Chicago.
She discovered a passion for chocolate while training at the French Pastry School. Her signature confection at Beijo became the Brigadeiro, a traditional Brazilian dessert that's just short of fudge. Case added a simple twist — a coating of Belgian chocolate — that earned her a string of medals from the International Chocolate Salon.
Though she opened Beijo, 3334 W. Foster Ave., at the height of the recession, the shop quickly earned a following.
Case expressed her gratitude on Friday:
"There have been so many smiles, laughs, stories, engagements, date, showers, birthday parties and conversations here. ... We've watched students grow up and graduate, couples fall in love and start families, lost some friends to heaven and made friendships for a lifetime. Thank you. Thank you for everything."
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