the xocolate bar to close
news that the xocolate bar at 1709 solano avenue in berkeley will close for good on july 4, after 20 years in business, is making its way through the local community.
the upcoming closure was announced friday, june 5, on the chocolate shop's website.
on our visit sunday, a range of shoppers, some local fans for years, some visiting and blissfully unaware of the announcement, politely made room for one another in the wee, beautiful solano avenue shop with the dutch door.
folks purchased boxes of handmade, lovingly-decorated xocolate bar bonbons, bars and truffles in different assortments and flavors, all organic and fair trade.
'thank you so much for keeping it local,' said the kind, aproned staffer behind the counter as she administered service that could only be called old-fashioned – explaining flavors, preparing gift items, helping senior and very young browsers. 'those chocolates were made right here behind that curtain.'
the xocolate bar's colorful, beautifully curated chocolate shop. 'it is smaller than you can imagine,' says the website. 'but we do have rich dark sipping chocolate on tap.' the shop and business will close on july 4. photo credit berkeley eats.
everyone eyed the colorful candy bowls, and shelves lined with xocolate products as well as high-end confections from carefully curated outside makers. mention of the upcoming closure was kept to a joyful minimum, allowing everyone to enjoy their chocolate shopping experience, but some couldn't help expressing a little dismay.
'i'm crushed,' said one customer, clutching several boxes of chocolate bonbons. 'look at me, i'm buying for christmas.'
in a personal farewell note linked to the xocolate bar's closing announcement, owner malena lopez-maggi said that after the february closure of the team's brief expansion into a second location, xocolate & confections in rockridge, the future was at first uncertain. now, however, she says that, 'after months of analysis, the numbers are finally clear. my only viable path is chapter 7 bankruptcy and closure.'
'i know this news will bring grief to many people who have loved and supported us through the years,' she continues in her letter to customers.
'all i can say is that when your heart cracks open, the love gets in. a failed expansion can also be a successful simplification. a realignment was long overdue, on both a personal and economic level.'
lopez-maggi encourages longtime customers to leave recorded voice messages of memory and farewell to the xocolate bar using a link provided, or to send notes and photos by email.
customers are also invited to attend a closing party for the xocolate bar at the shop on july 4 from 2-4pm.
the xocolate bar is at 1709 solano avenue in berkeley, and will be open daily from 11am-5pm, from now through july 4.
june 7, 2026