Lakewood Chocolate Walk Draws Sellout Crowd for Memorable Evening

There’s something truly magical about a beautiful fall evening centered around the deliciousness that is chocolate.

A sellout crowd of 350 attendees from across Northeast Ohio participated in the 11th Annual Lakewood Chocolate Walk on Thursday evening, October 24. This large contingent of chocolate fans descended upon Downtown Lakewood to visit nearly 30 merchants serving as “Sweet Stops” by each offering guests a unique chocolate treat.

Hosted by the Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance (DLBA) and LakewoodAlive, the Chocolate Walk has developed into a highly-anticipated Lakewood tradition. Tickets went on sale both online and at lion and blue during early October and sold out in a matter of hours.

The evening kicked off with the Pre-Walk VIP Reception at Malley’s Chocolates, where 50 lucky guests enjoyed delicious savory foods and a wide assortment of chocolatey concoctions within the vintage and historic chocolate shop located in Uptown Lakewood. Arriving aboard the “Chocolate Express,” VIP guests were greeted by music courtesy of a talented duet from the Lakewood Music Collective, and by the trademark ambiance for which Malley’s Chocolates is famous.

“Welcome to the Lakewood Chocolate Walk, have a chocolate appetizer!” stated “Charlie Chonka” – played by volunteer J.P. Ptacek – in greeting guests who arrived at First Federal Lakewood to commence the walk. Attendees were given a map of Sweet Stops and ventured out to delight their taste buds by visiting participating merchants, while many sought to find 12 hidden golden eggs.

The evening concluded with the Final Stop at First Federal Lakewood. Here attendees were able to wet their whistles and enjoy a final round of sweets. The Final Stop, staffed by volunteers from First Federal Lakewood, provided the setting for naming winners of raffle baskets, the 50/50 raffle and the Golden Egg Hunt.

“Our annual Chocolate Walk represents a unique opportunity to showcase Lakewood’s vibrancy while raising proceeds to support the Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance and LakewoodAlive programming,” said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. “We’re truly grateful to our sponsor, Kent State University College of Nursing Graduate Programs; our VIP host, Malley’s Chocolates; and all of the merchants and attendees who participated in this memorable evening. Thanks, also, to volunteer Paula Reed for helping to spearhead this event.”

LakewoodAlive and DLBA thank the following merchants for their participation in the 11th Annual Lakewood Chocolate Walk: Addicted Coffee Bar, Aladdin’s Eatery, Barton Center, Caffeine Lakewood, Chronic Tattoo, Cotton Lakewood, Discount Drug Mart, Edible Arrangements, First Federal Lakewood, Forage Public House, Geiger’s, Home for the Holidays Pop-Up Shop, Jana’s Mediterranean Deli, Lakewood Baptist Church, Lion and Blue, Malley’s Chocolates, Melt Bar and Grilled, Norris Chiropractic, Ohio City Burrito, Paisley Monkey, Plantation Home, Prime + Process Hair Lounge, The Root Cafe, Rozi’s Wine House, Sauced Taproom & Kitchen, Souper Market, The Tea Lab and Tease Hair + Body Parlor.

The 11th Annual Lakewood Chocolate Walk was generously supported by:

Chocolatier Sponsor
Kent State University College of Nursing Graduate Programs