Celebrating Ambler Through Chocolate

Bernadette Dougherty opened Corner Chocolates in Ambler in 2006 and, after several moves around town, has finally settled into a home on the corner of Butler and Ridge in .

Although the chocolates are, indeed, delicious, there is something more that makes the adorable corner business a special and unique must-have for the community.

In these hard times, it is easy for any town to lose its identity in dealing with financial crises and scrambling to keep things exciting. But Corner Chocolates and Dougherty have a mission to keep this from happening to Ambler. In a way, Dougherty is bringing a sense of community back to an area with which the business-owning veteran has worked for years.

Dougherty worked as Main Street Manager in Ambler for 11 years, from 1996 to 2007, and played a key role in the refurbishment and restoration of the , bringing it to life and gathering the community together. Obviously her work with the revitalization of the town is a great accomplishment alone, but Dougherty has made strides to continue her commitment to the area in her chocolate business.

How does one show dedication to a community with chocolate? Just ask Dougherty! From her suppliers to her location, from her products to her customers, Bernadette Dougherty is in it for Ambler in every way you can think.

When establishing her chocolate business, “It was important to me to sell fine chocolates locally,” Dougherty said.

The chocolate connoisseur found Reppert’s in Oley, PA, and Lores Chocolates in Philadelphia, both of which she says she loves for their being small, family businesses.

"I want to know that, when I give someone an order, it’s help paying the electric bill," she said.

Corner Chocolates’ home, Caffé Media, falls in line with the family and community themes, as well. Its three owners and their children do the work on-site and behind the scenes, and have been like a family to Dougherty since she’s been here. The proud owner’s rent is down, overhead is down, and she has a built-in, friendly staff to sell her chocolates so she can spend more time with her five granddaughters. What gets more family-centric than that?

The Caffé also feeds Dougherty’s love of Ambler, as it attracts the late-nighters coming out of the theater Dougherty worked so hard to establish. The theater brings the college students, of which there is an abundance in the area, to downtown Ambler, and Caffé Madia spreads smiles after their arrivals with delectable treats, both of Dougherty’s making and original Caffé recipes. The setup truly seems as though it has been pulled from one of Dougherty’s dreams.

The products, though, also encourage Ambler community spirit. From delectable bars wrapped in pictures of the theater to the cool Ambler mugs Corner Chocolates has for sale, community members will find themselves represented in most of what Dougherty does, both in her business and in her life.

From buying souvenirs to building a sense of community, you can do it all at Bernadette Dougherty’s Corner Chocolates on Butler. Though there is plenty delicious and wonderful to find there now, new Ambler-style sweatshirts are scheduled to arrive in the store on Sept. 15 and are sure to cause a splash. Don’t miss out on getting yours!