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Uptowners Opening New Sweets Shop CHOCnyc in Inwood

By Carolina Pichardo | February 18, 2016 11:22am

INWOOD — Choc it to me!

Uptown residents Jemal Edwards and Brad Doles will be churning out plenty of chocolate at their new bakery CHOCnyc at 4996 Broadway, in the space that previously housed Italian restaurant Trattoria Inwood.

Edwards — who has worked as pastry chef across the country, as well as in France, Austria, Italy and Japan — said the demand he and Doles have been seeing for quality products Uptown led them to set up shop in the area. 

"Inwood is such a fantastic and diverse neighborhood, and we feel the community will really embrace the new flavor that we want to offer," Edwards said. "We wanted to open a business where we, as residents, would want to shop."

Edwards has lived in Inwood for five years, while Doles, who has a background in hospitality management, has lived in Washington Heights for 11 years.

CHOCnyc’s selection of baked goods include a variety of hand-made pastries and desserts, including cookies, biscotti, fruit tarts and — of course — cake. Edwards said they hope to also offer a small line of sandwiches and soups after the opening.

The two launched an Indiegogo campaign in January to help cover the costs of outdoor seating, a commercial ice cream machine and high-tech freezer, and dipping stations. 

The shop's planned opening date of Feb. 22 had to be pushed back due to inspections and construction issues, though "we're “pushing as hard as we can to get this going,” Edwards said.

The pair began leasing the space in August, with construction starting in November, he added. 

“It's going be really amazing once we get it finished,” Edwards said.