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Local Voices

Fascia's Chocolates Donates First of 50 "Golden Anniversary Prizes" to Malcolm Baldrige Awards Banquet Silent Auction

In celebration of the Grand Opening celebration this coming weekend - Oct. 12-14, 12 noon to 6:0 p.m. at Fascia’s Chocolates' new location at 44 Chase River Road in Waterbury, the widely-popular chocolate maker donated a substantial gift basket to the silent auction fundraiser held during the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s 19th annual Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards banquet. The basket was promoted by the Chamber’s Auction Committee as ‘priceless’ in that it contained the very first of 50 highly-valuable Fascia’s “Golden Anniversary Prize” (GAP) certificates which will be officially launched during Fascia’s Grand Opening festivities October 12 through 14 at their new location. Melissa Stemmer, director of development for Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, was the delighted recipient of the basket she received directly from Fascia family members Louise Fascia Romeo and Carmen Romeo, president of Fascia’s Chocolates. 

“We chose this important community banquet to introduce the first of our 50 GAP certificates,” stated Romeo. “The auction raises funds for the Chamber’s economic development ambitions, and we knew more than 400 community leaders and businesspeople would potentially bid on the basket that contained the “Golden Anniversary Prize” certificate. The banquet was truly a grand event, and we were very delighted that Melissa went home so thrilled with her own Fascia’s Chocolates basket.” 

The gift basket Melissa Stemmer bid on contained Fascia’s popular Boxed Assortments which include Fascia’s Classic Assortment, Gourmet Truffles, Pecan Turtles, plus several additional chocolate products. “That basket was particularly special,” explained Romeo, “in that it contained the very first ‘Golden Anniversary Prize’ gift certificate. Like all our baskets, the gift basket Melissa received contained such ‘Timeless Favorites’ as Nonpareils, wafers, bars and such ‘Chocolate Covered Treats’ as Potato Chips, Pretzels, Oreos, and more.”   

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All winners of Fascia’s Golden Anniversary Prizes (GAPs) will receive 1 lb. of Fascia's Classic Assortment, the opportunity to be "Honorary Chocolatier and Official Taster” for a day, plus the chance to win one of seven Grand Prizes at Fascia's Anniversary Party in September 2014. “As Honorary Chocolatier and Official Taster for a day we will welcome all GAP winners to work in our new factory for one day and be as much involved in production as they desire. They can help us make chocolate, use our equipment, and do the work of everyday packaging. Of course, we they will also be our ‘Main Taster for the Day’.” 

Fascia’s Chocolates’ “Golden Anniversary Prize” certificates will be officially introduced to the general public during their Grand Opening festivities Saturday through Monday, October 12 to the 14th from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. The GAPs will be raffled daily during the Columbus Day weekend celebration. Grand Opening festivities will include free samplings of Fascia’s gourmet hand-made chocolates and their newly-introduced gelatos and sorbets; live music between 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday with the Willie Nininger Band of Southbury and on Sunday with the Marty Q Band of Waterbury; The Magic of Peter James on Sunday between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m.; additional daily raffles; appearances by Miss Greater Waterbury Scholarship titleholders; and more. Factory tours will be offered between 12 noon and 6:00 p.m. each day at costs of $5/person, and $10/person for factory tour plus the opportunity to ‘make-your-own chocolate bar’. Reservations are not required, but are recommended. 

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Fascia’s Chocolates is the only chocolate maker in the northeastern United States to offer the highly unique opportunity for visitors to make-their-own-chocolate bars. “No other chocolate producer in this region,” commented Romeo, “offers visitors the opportunity to physically make their very own chocolate bar. This is an uncommon hands-on opportunity for visitors to actually make their own personal chocolate bar plus add any toppings of their choice.” 

Since opening their new store and factory at 44 Chase River Road in Waterbury, Fascia’s began offering their very own Italian gelato flavors made with authentic Italian ingredients and locally-sourced milk. “The gelatos and sorbets are both made by Fascia’s on site,” stated Romeo. “We believe they perfectly complement our high-quality gourmet chocolates.”

Founded by John and Helen Fascia in 1964, the family-owned Fascia’s Chocolates was named “Best Chocolates in Connecticut” by Connecticut magazine in 2012.  Their new building at 44 Chase River Road in Waterbury is located immediately off Route 8 North at Exit 36, just two minutes from I-84. Their new Mediterranean café style retail store also houses Lynne’s Chocolate Cakery offering freshly-baked goods and cupcakes that include fresh whipped crème cupcakes, truffle cupcakes, peanut butter cupcakes and many more delicious cupcakes.

Ongoing “behind-the-scenes” weekend factory tours will be offered at Fascia’s Chocolates after the Grand Opening celebration. Tours will be offered on Saturdays at 12 noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. and Sundays 1 and 3 p.m. Fascia’s retail store is open year-round from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 12 to 5 p.m. Sundays. The store and factory are closed Mondays except between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Updated tour schedules, and online reservations, are posted on www.fasciaschocolates.com. For more information, and to make phone reservations, call 203-753-0515. Fascia’s also recommends ‘liking’ them on Facebook and following them on Twitter (#FasciasChoc) to take advantage of special discounts and coupons. Fascia’s also participates in AAA’s Partner program and offers special ‘partner’ rates.

                                                                       

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