By Adam Aasen
A local chocolatier is bringing her award-winning confections to Carmel Drive this month.
A new location for Chocolate for the Spirit will feature truly artisan creations and unique treats like Pure Nacional Organic Dark Chocolate, the rarest chocolate in the world. Owner Julie Bolejack said she’s one of 11 chocolatiers that has access to it.
Bolejack, 61, said it’s all part of her plan to appeal to true chocolate experts in the area. Just like wine snobs who study every varietal and winery, she said Carmel is filled with truly distinguished palates. And these people don’t fall for the word “artisan” stamped on a grocery store chocolate or a decorative item that’s all style and no substance.
“You can make the prettiest treats ever, but if chocolate isn’t any good, what’s the point?” she said. “I am for the connoisseur who has discriminating tastes and has traveled the world and tried the best stuff and looks for something special.”
Central Indiana’s gourmet chocoholics know Bolejack from her City Market location in downtown Indianapolis. She left her corporate job in 2008 to pursue her passion and started making chocolates out of her Shelbyville studio.
“I love the challenge,” she said. “I will never live long enough to master chocolates. In the culinary world, this is one of the hardest areas to try to conquer. It’s that difficult.”
She’ll move her production to the Carmel location so she can be on-site overseeing operations. The storefront, which will be located at 301 E. Carmel Drive near Vine and Table and McNamara Florist, will feature a tasting bar, gelato, espresso and custom-made chocolates. She hopes to open before Easter.
Bolejack said she’s usually the one organizing everything while her husband, Dale Bolejack, likes to socialize with the customers. At conventions and fairs, he’ll put on a doctor’s white coat and stethoscope and call himself the “Choc Doc” as he writes “prescriptions” for chocolate to customers.
Chocolate for the Spirit has won numerous awards, including a top-five finish at the New York Chocolate Show for her Mayan Spice Bar, which features her own blend of spices to give it a light Mesoamerican kick. Other creations include toffee, a Primal Spirit Bar with Grand Cru chocolate, a bacon/bourbon truffle and a Golden Tiger Swirl with dark, milk and white chocolates with peanut butter, sea salt, pecans and edible gold. Bolejack has created chocolates for events at the MTV movie awards, the Kentucky Derby and the Super Bowl.
For more information visit www.chocolateforthespirit.com.
