01/30/2026
Dear Xocolate lover,
It feels strange to promote bonbons at a time of collective grief. But then again, chocolate is good for the soul. A bittersweet reminder of the pleasure and beauty life has to offer even through dark times. Especially through dark times.
Valentine's Day hits people in all kinds of ways but at the end of the day, it's about love. Chocolate is its own love language.* Don't we need more expressions of love in this world?
This is our special Valentine offering this year:
Valentine Sweetheart Bundle (https://www.thexocolatebar.com/product/valentine-sweetheart-bundle-cube-box-by-the-xocolate-bar-with-pure-heart-truffles-passionfruit-truffles-love-bites-a-surprise-shape/AVRPXKM7GHFIRINGUK3J2CE5?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=5)
Inside you'll find
-Pure hearts (pure dark truffles in a heart shape)
-Passionfruit truffles (one of our most popular flavors of all time)
-Love Bites (honey vanilla truffle, strawberry truffle, pure dark truffle, & cherry truffle)
-A surprise Valentine shape (nothing x-rated...just a beautifully hand painted dark chocolate heart)
The Love Bites (https://www.thexocolatebar.com/product/love-bites-4pc-box-of-dark-milk-bonbons-by-the-xocolate-bar/1057?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=5) are available on their own as well.
As always, these are handmade with love in a tiny kitchen using organic fair trade chocolate and natural ingredients. Please opt for pickup or local delivery if you can...the weather is already warm enough to delay shipping.
If you've made it all the way down here, I'm going to assume you're a fan. Read on for a special opportunity.
As you probably know, our Rockridge store is closing on February 15. Here's the story (https://docs.google.com/document/d/147tJGJxzFOFQmhQASJlYWiuuusTOGhl2uxPOlVtna1o/edit?tab=t.0) , in case you missed it.
Please stop by 11-6 daily at 5854 College Ave, Oakland. We have a full selection of chocolates as well as special treasures that the crew is starting to liquidate. I'm talking about tons of vintage glass candy dishes, a handmade human sized nutcracker, a bookcase sized box of giant faux chocolates...Frankie the GM handcrafts seasonal window displays, which we are now selling since there is no space at Solano for things like that. Come hunt for treasures before February 15!
Also, if you have always dreamed of having your own store in Rockridge (and you have strong financials), taking over the space is an option. Please email me directly if you'd like more info on that. [email protected]
This brings me to the inevitable question of what will happen to Solano after the dust settles at Rockridge. Honestly, I don't know right now. But if you are a long time fan, care about the continuity of that store, and have access to deep wells of capital, there could be an ownership opportunity for you there too. Again, email [email protected] if that is of interest.
If you've made it this far down I'm going to assume you care about me personally lol. Please read on...
Real talk: Times have been hard for this business and for me personally. I'm sure you have empathy if not compassion fatigue given all the hard times people are having all over the world. I appreciate all the kind messages received so far. But here is a way you can help me in a concrete way. I am actively searching for paid side work to supplement my personal income during this transition period. Here is the shape I need it to take:
-Remote
-Asynchronous
-Project based (though ongoing commitments may be possible, depending on the scope of the work)
-Paid (not looking for more entrepreneurship work)
If you've known me through the years you probably have a sense of my skill set. If not, here are some highlights:
-Written communication (personal essay sample here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/12sCvqJfNBMt6j-WRDyh-uV1BBVG0xDtfkUyWJSnmrT4/edit?usp=sharing) )
-Certified Women's Guidance Facilitator
-MFA in Studio Art (concentration in sculpture, painting, and graphic design). Art samples and CV here (https://www.malenas.art/) .
-Curriculum development (arts & crafts emphasis)
-End-of-life Doula certification in progress (creative autobiography and legacy projects are my strengths)
-Bilingual (English/Spanish)
-Obviously, 20 years experience founding, leading, creating, and executing all aspects of this small chocolate business. For a sense of the totality of that, see our latest catalogue (https://www.thexocolatebar.com/client-gifts) . Not only did I develop the recipes, but I also designed the packaging, did the graphic layout of the catalogue, wrote the copy, and interfaced with all of the corporate clients listed. I also had the grit and grace to carry the business through difficult economic times while prioritizing a work culture of love and respect.
-Note: I'm not able to take on positions requiring management or coordination of other people at this time.
Give me something creative to do!
Thanks for considering me :-)
For personal job opportunities, please email me at [email protected]
With love,
Malena Lopez-Maggi
Whew! You made it to the bottom! Congratulations! Here's that asterisk you were looking for...
*Neurodivergent people have their own love languages.
Like for example:
- info-dumping (like I did here)
- pebbling (giving small thoughtful gifts like funny memes or pieces of chocolate)
- parallel play (working quietly on different things side by side)
It will break your heart open when you start noticing all the little 'I love you's' you may have been missing. One of the most powerful things we can do in this life is to learn each others languages and be faithful translators.
xoxo
Malena
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