RED HOOK — It’s Willy Wonka on the waterfront.
A Brooklyn chocolate factory currently based in Clinton Hill is moving to a new 3,600-square-foot production facility on Seabring Street near Van Brunt Street — where they plan to offer factory tours and chocolate-making classes, company representatives said.
Raaka Chocolate will officially open Sept. 12, after relocating from its 1,150-square-foot facility in Clinton Hill.
“Right now it just seems like the right community to be in,” said Raaka community director Ryan Mellinger.
Tours of the factory begin Sept. 25, are priced at $10 and will end with a tasting of Raaka’s handcrafted “virgin” chocolate, organizers said. The company also plans to launch its two-hour chocolate-making classes on Sept. 27 at $50 per session, where you can learn about Raaka’s bean-to-bar process, Mellinger said.
The chocolate company is looking forward to being in a space where they have room to host factory tours and classes, said Orissa Agnihotri, the company’s director of operations.
“This will be a chance to connect with the community,” Agnihotri said.
Having a larger manufacturing facility will also allow the company to increase its output and add new products to its lineup, Agnihotri said. Almost all of Raaka’s bars are gluten-free and infused with unique flavors like vanilla rooibos, topped with Himalayan pink sea salt or even made with coconut milk, according to its website.
Raaka will also host its first retail shop at the Red Hook space with products sold at factory price, officials said.
