Chocolate artisan sets sights on Carmel

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Shelbyville-based Chocolate for the Spirit is opening a retail storefront in Carmel in time for the holiday shopping season.

The shop at 301 E. Carmel Drive will close early next year to undergo a more extensive renovation, adding production capabilities and special-event space.

Master chocolatier Julie Bolejack, 60, said Carmel is a logical place to grow her business, given its upscale demographics and reputation for embracing the arts.

Her products—including bon-bons, toffee, truffles, bark and bars—are made by hand in small batches using “ultra-premium” chocolate.

After decades as an IT project leader in the “soul-sucking” corporate world, Bolejack is enjoying the creative freedom she found in her home “studio”—a commercial kitchen in Shelbyville.

“There is a lot of joy in it,” she said, explaining the company’s name. “It lifts my spirits and hopefully others will enjoy the fruits of my labor.”

Bolejack started the business in 2008, while still working her day job, and came out of the “chocolate closet” almost three years ago after gaining national attention at the prestigious International New York Chocolate Show.

Chocolate for the Spirit has a shop at Indianapolis City Market, and some of its goodies also are available at Goose the Market.

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