Chocolate Walk: Residents enjoy delicious downtown delights

Boerne celebrated its sweetest event of the year this weekend — the annual Chocolate Walk.

Participating businesses purchase or create specialty chocolates that “walkers” can enjoy after a purchase.

The two-day event offers walkers a raffle ticket for a special prize, a tote bag for their goodies, and a map of all businesses that will have a delectable chocolate treat.

Held on the weekend of Valentine’s Day, the event always has a great turnout.

Local business owner Brandi Sees of Pixie Boutique and La Te Da has been participating in the Chocolate Walk since it first started.

“It’s been great for business,” Sees said, showcasing her chocolate-dipped stroopwafel. Both of her stores had elaborate Valentine’s Day displays.

The specialty chocolates offered by each business cannot be store-bought; the sweets must be made in a commercial kitchen and provided by business owners to customers.

Business owner Laurie Saunders purchased her chocolate-covered graham crackers with sprinkles from Yo Pop Etc., a gourmet gift basket store in Carrollton, Texas.

“I’ll always participate,” Saunders said. “The last seven or eight years we have been doing this have been good to us.”

While the event has proven to be profitable for local businesses, customers find the event a day to get out and socialize with their friends.

“This is a great opportunity to check out local businesses and any new businesses,” Debbi Mathews, a chocolate “walker,” said. “My girlfriends and I love to hang out and support the community. This is our second year doing it, and we plan to come every year.”

Mathews applauds the chocolate and Valentine's Day combo, and even offered up a suggestion of her own to “sweeten the deal.”

“We love that each business has their own unique chocolate treat, but we would love to see some champagne toasting, too!” she said.

Apart from the map, businesses made it easier for the walker to find them, with their elaborate chocolate and Valentine’s Day themed decor, both inside and out.

Balloons were usually a good tipoff, as were the sponsor signs from Boerne’s Parks and Recreation Department, pinpointing each business’s positioning on the map for the walkers.

If you want to attend next year’s event, check out the Parks and Recreation website. There’s limited amount of raffle tickets available, so make sure to get yours before they sell out.