This is Marie Belle New York
Several (and I mean, several) years ago I was walking around the Soho neighborhood when I stumbled on Marie Belle - a cute boutique of chocolates. I remember it vividly because of the beautifully decorated colors on the chocolates, and because of the branding colors of blue and brown. It was the first time I saw "designer" chocolates wrapped like elegant gifts, and not in some mass-produced, gift-box packaging. And I thought the name of the boutique was pretty and simple: Marie Belle. Since that accidental discovery, I would stop by this store to pick up gifts for special occasions. I was particularly fond of these chocolate-covered wafer pearls, wrapped in a blue box with a brown ribbon.
Fast forward to last month, when I was invited to a private event at Marie Belle, not only to check out the boutique as a unique venue space, but also to view the product customization Marie Belle can do for any event.
Custom Favors
Whether its for a wedding or a corporate gift or an event giveaway, Marie Belle can customize their chocolates with your message or your company logo. Not only will your guests receive a taste of decadence, but the packaging of the chocolates can be customized to promote your event or your company. Below are some samples they have done for clients such as VMware, Citi and Berfdorf Goodman.
Event Space
I learned that the Marie Belle boutique is available to rent for private events as well. This is great for a reception for 50-70 people, but I would lean more towards an intimate gathering. The store is decorated in a "Versailles" motif, at least that's what I call it. Hues of blue and brown and gold frames, old-fashioned cabinetry, a central gold-framed mirror and large centerpiece in the middle of the parlor exude some old-world glam. Towards the back of the parlor, and seen through a glass window, is the Cacao Bar, styled like a Parisian cafe, with a glass cabinet counter guarding its contents of sweets.
Tastings
Marie Belle can offer tastings of its chocolates products and hot cocoa. Samples are set up around the store and chocolate samples are also provided behind the counter in the Cacao Bar. Other samples can be passed around on trays by Marie Belle servers in uniform.
A Marie Belle server hands me a hot chocolate spiked with tequila.
To be honest, I thought Marie Belle was just a fictitious name. I was surprised to learn that Marie Belle was conceived by Maribel Lieberman: a designer and artist who loved chocolates. She was at the event I attended, where she told her inspiring story of starting a Marie Belle chocolate boutique in Soho, New York.
Marie Belle is located at 484 Broome Street between Wooster and West Broadway.
Lead the sweet life!
~T~
