PHOTOS BY JODIE BRIM CREATIVE
It’s no secret that visiting Black Mountain Chocolate Bar in Winston-Salem is a bit like coming home. Filled with the fragrance of the world’s favorite treat, there’s also a warm sense of hospitality that truly comes from its “Black Mountain” roots.
Just as you’d find in the original Black Mountain (a rustic destination nestled in the NC mountains), an afternoon at the chocolate bar here in the Innovation Quarter might mean the pace moves a little slower, and patrons know how to make the most of an afternoon or evening. After all, isn’t savoring chocolate the ultimate indulgence?
Owners Brent and Millie Peters think so, and they proudly welcome you to their location in Bailey South. With expanded gathering and seating space, and popular nighttime hours to end your day on a sweet note, and maybe even some chocolate-inspired spirits, their journey to now has been heavily about family and fate. Brent worked in a chocolate shop while in college, always nurturing an interest in how the flavorful treat was made. When he purchased BMC in 2013, while it was still located in the mountains, he spent a year filled with long weekends learning the chocolate business along with his daughter, Megan, a recent culinary school graduate. Brent put the finishing touches on a personal dream, left the corporate world for something more creative, and turned an atypical mid-life venture into a much-loved, successful local business.
When he moved BMC to its Trade Street location, the chocolate flowed but foot traffic was slow, and Brent’s devoted wife, Millie, challenged her husband to really think big! The recent expansion to Innovation Quarter syncs perfectly with the area’s energy and neighborhood vibe.
The newest version of Black Mountain Chocolate Bar may be centered around taste, but the entire BMC experience is much broader. “We’ve designed it to be about spending quality time with friends, and simply enjoying yourself,” says Brent. Think of it as more of a “hospitality bar” really – with an endless menu of chocolates, desserts, and decadent beverages.
Still the original North Carolina bean-to-bar chocolate, Black Mountain Chocolate comes to you fresh from the local workshop. “We work in small batches to coax the maximum flavor from each and every cocoa bean,” explains Brent. And with a dedicated staff that has also learned the finer points of chocolate-making, every day is a delicious opportunity to spread some joy and some sweetness, and to watch employees grow in their careers, as well as their love for chocolate! Lucky Black Mountain Chocolate staff members shared their favorite things with Forsyth Woman!
Tirra C.: My favorite thing about working at BMC is growth, and this job has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally in many ways. My favorite part? It’s 100% the smells – all of them. Every room in our beautiful space has a different smell and it primes all your other senses. My ultimate choice? A chocolate batch before the conche, raw cocoa beans, cinnamon chips, and eclair shells fresh from the oven.
Elise P.: This is simply a great place to work, and I know it’s all because of the staff we have built over the years. The flavor of our chocolate alone is what sets us apart from anyone else in the industry, and I love being able to use it to create wonderful desserts for our customers.
Katelyn W.: Everyone at BMC is super-supportive and friendly. I work in my chosen career field, and do what I enjoy on a daily basis. My favorite thing is our house-made marshmallows! Both regular vanilla or flavored, they are fluffy and delicious, not to mention fun to make.
Katie R.: The BMC team is like no other I’ve ever worked with. They are compassionate, hard working people. My favorite treat? The salted caramel tart. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Anna R.: Everyone here is so talented in so many ways, and we love to see each other succeed. I love our Mocha because our house-made chocolate sauce really elevates the flavor profile of the drink.
Joanna H.: I have learned valuable skills and techniques in baking, although I wouldn’t be anywhere without my amazing co-workers! My go-to treat is the peanut butter cookie because it’s packed to the brim with peanut butter, and has the perfect crunch/softness ratio.
Rae C.: Since day one at BMC, my coworkers have been supportive, kind, and always willing to help me succeed. My favorite treat is the s’mores tart because of the texture – it’s like a little chocolate chess pie, and it’s also very beautiful!
Nate W.: BMC has been one of my favorite quiet study spots for getting classwork done, and I now enjoy working here for our friendly crew of staff, who make the store a lively place! My go-to treat is always the extremely fudgy chocolate torte, as it never fails to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Owner Brent P.: I love watching this team create inviting hospitality for our guests. And I prefer to watch while enjoying our Nib’s Old Fashioned, a soothing blend of bourbon, agave, and chocolate bitters.
Owner Millie P.: I love our team at BMC. They have made my husband’s dream a reality, and I’m fortunate to be a part of it. I’m so proud of them every time I come in our doors. And my favorite treat? The Malted Millie truffle, of course!
Make time soon to visit with friends, or schedule a meeting in this supremely comfortable setting! Black Mountain Chocolate Bar is located at 450 N. Patterson Avenue, Suite 110, Winston-Salem. Call them at 336-293-4698, or visit blackmountainchocolate.com, where you can order online for pick-up and delivery. Hours are Tuesday through Wednesday noon – 6 p.m., Thursday noon – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday noon – 6 p.m., closed on Monday. Bar hours are 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon – 6 p.m. on Sunday.
