After 36 Years, Cubao's Iconic Chocolate Lover Is Closing Shop

(SPOT.ph) Their store along P. Tuazon Boulevard, Cubao is unmistakeable—an eyecatching, if kitschy, tower that resembles an old castle from the outside, with figures of giant cakes that signal what the place is all about. We're talking, of course, about Chocolate Lover Inc., the well-loved shop that carries essential ingredients and equipment for bakers: different kinds of flour, chocolate chips in every level of cacao percentage, sprinkles in all colors of the rainbow, cookie cutters in all shapes and sizes, boxes for easy transport, and so on. For 36 years, they've served as a one-stop source for baking staples. But it looks like we've reached the last chapter of their book—this volume of it, at least—as Chocolate Lovers has announced they'll be closing for good by the end of the year.

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Annie Carmona-Lim, owner of Chocolate Lovers, made the announcement through a video posted on the shop's Facebook page. Their last day open will be on December 27, she says in Filipino. They're currently selling the castle, though as of writing there remains to be a buyer.

Her children will not be inheriting the brand and they'll be moving abroad, Carmona-Lim says of the reason behind the closure: "Ayaw na rin kasing manahin ng mga anak ko. Okay na po kami sa ibang bansa. Ako naman po, mag-aalaga na lang ng apo kasi matanda na rin po ako. Hirap na akong magbiyahe-biyahe."

That they remain open until the end of December is deliberate, she continues, so as to allow the brand to serve bakers and business owners prepping for holiday orders. "Hindi namin pababayaan 'yung mga customers namin kung kailangan nila [ng supplies] ngayong Pasko. 'Yung dedication ng Chocolate Lovers sa mga nagbibusiness, gano'n pa rin po 'yung support namin."

"Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng suppliers namin, mga dati ko'ng estudyante, mga customers namin. Ito na, goodbye na. After 36 years, goodbye goodbye na tayo."

"Tatlong taon ko na po iniiyakan 'to. Kasi hindi ko kaya talaga. Baby ko kasi 'to eh. Pero kailan po na nang magsabi ng goodbye. Maraming pong salamat."

The baking supplies shop originally opened in 1989, following Carmona-Lim's recovery from cancer.

Chocolate Lover is at 45 P. Tuazon Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City. For more information, check out Chocolate Lover Inc.'s Facebook page.