If you love chocolate – and who doesn’t? – a trip to Boxborough might be in your future.
Lala Selvaraj and Neethu Viswananth traveled from India to Scotland for graduate work in bioengineering and stayed for five years. While there, they discovered a mutual love for dark chocolate truffles. Lala married and moved to the United States. Neethu married and moved to Canada. Several years ago, to celebrate Neethu’s birthday, Lala, despite having no confection-making experience, concocted a chocolate treat that was so “magical” that they knew they had to share it with the world, and Two Friends Chocolates was born. Lala opened a shop in Boxborough, and Neethu opened one in Markham, Ontario, Canada.
Chocolates are made in both locations and sold online. The Boxborough location, 629 Mass. Ave./Rt 111, has a kitchen and laboratory where all the handmade candies and gifts are designed and made and shipped anywhere except Canada. Their products are found in Whole Foods stores, the Isabelle Gardner Museum gift shop, Acton’s Idyllwild Farms, and many other stores. They are also featured on the Uncommon Goods website.
After many inquiries by local shoppers, Lala decided to devote the front section of the space to retail. Last year, she began by offering chocolate drinks, and soon they had a sales counter and shelving displays with samples of all their products. Now there are tables outdoors where customers can relax while eating the tasty treats.
An example of their products is truffles, sold in boxes of six, nine, 12, or 24. Some of the flavors: “Sambuca: A dash of fennel and herbs added to fine alcohol blended with dark chocolate and sweet cream”; “Elderflower liquor: A taste of European Elderflower liqueur adds a sweet decadence to the classic dark chocolate truffle”; and, “Mocha Latte Truffle: A shot of Irish cream with fresh latte brewed in sweet cream and blended with premium dark chocolate”.
Two Friends Chocolates also sells hand-wrapped chocolate bars, chocolate thins, hot cocoa powder, and cocoa tea. Any of these products can be ordered online or purchased at the store. You can also purchase drinks, including hot and cold chocolate, iced chai, tea, coffee, and fruit drinks.
Open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
629 Mass Ave., Boxborough MA. 617-906-6838. www.twofriendschocolates.com.
Jeff Brown is the business beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.