Our Story

About Chuck

Chuck (Charles) Siegel has been a part of the San Francisco chocolate scene since 1987 when he started his first premium chocolate company, Attivo Confections, at the age of 25. For over 7 years Chuck dedicated himself to recreating many of our favorite childhood favorites with a decidedly gourmet sensibility.Many products that are now fairly common in the world of gourmet confections were first created at Attivo. These include “the Apple”, a giant Granny Smith apple coated in fresh cream caramel, dipped in bittersweet chocolate and then coated with Macadamia nuts or crumbled biscotti as well as the first gourmet s’more in 1989, featuring an organic graham cracker covered with a slab of bittersweet chocolate and a square of homemade marshmallow.

With Charles Chocolates, Chuck has set out to redefine the world of fine chocolate confections. He uses only the finest ingredients, including some of the world’s best chocolates, organic herbs, fruits and nuts as well as the freshest organic Straus cream and butter.

Everything is made by hand in very small batches using traditional techniques, and all of the chocolates are shipped to our customers within three days of being created. This dedication to perfection is evident in each piece of chocolate. Every one is both bold and delicate — the perfect combination of flavor and texture. Charles Chocolates contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives.

Whether you are looking for the perfect gift, a personal indulgence or favors for an important event, Charles Chocolates is the obvious choice.

A Factory in Emeryville

While our factory has been located in the former Andronico's building since October 2005, we've been expanding over the last few months. In February 2007, we opened the doors to our first permanent retail store, featuring our prepackaged chocolates as well as a full candy case featuring thirty different handmade confections. The store is the only place that features the entire Charles Chocolates product line. Most exciting to many of our customers has been the ability to purchase chocolates by the piece or creation of custom boxes of chocolates. In June 2007, we moved from our 4,000 square foot factory into our newly expanded 6,700 square foot factory, as well as into new offices. We extended the retail store to include a chocolate bar, from where visitors can watch as the chocolates are being made, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy flights of our handmade confections.

Milestones

• 2004: Chuck founds the company and begins producing chocolates in the 500 square foot San Francisco Jewish Community Center Kosher Kitchen

• 2005: Charles Chocolates is named "Best of the West" in Sunset Magazine, moves to 4,000 square foot factory in Emeryville

• 2006: Charles Chocolates begins distribution to Whole Foods, grows from 5 employees to 30 employees. Featured in 7x7 and J Weekly "Best of the Bay" editions.

• 2007: Opening of 8,700 square foot facility, including retail store & "chocolate caf" with view into open kitchen. Received "Best of" awards from East Bay Express and San Francisco Magazine. Grows to 37 employees as of June 2007.