Thank You, Charlotte!

We’re incredibly honored to share that The Secret Chocolatier was named Small Business of the Year by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority as part of their Partners in Tourism awards.

The Secret Chocolatier has been a member of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) since 2017. Over the years this group has been a supportive backbone for the hospitality community here in Charlotte. They help connect all parts of the industry, from government and major businesses to the many smaller companies that make the visitor experience feel personal and memorable.

As a small family chocolate business in Charlotte, we’ve always felt that the CRVA values partners of every size. That kind of support means a lot to a company like ours.

What Tourism Means to Our Chocolate Shop

Tourism plays a bigger role in our business than people might expect.

Charlotte hosts conventions, sporting events, concerts, and visitors who simply want to explore the city. Many of those visitors are looking for something local to experience while they’re here. They may have a chocolate shop back home, but there’s only one Secret Chocolatier in Charlotte.

Some visitors stop into our shop while exploring the city. Others discover our chocolates at conferences, events, or hotel welcome gifts. We’ve even had convention planners build chocolate experiences into their schedules.

Those moments give visitors a taste of something that’s truly made in Charlotte.

One of the fun parts for us is seeing how visitors continue the connection after they go home. Because we ship nationwide, someone who discovers our truffles or sea salt butter toffee while visiting Charlotte can order again later. We regularly hear from customers who first found us during a trip to the city.

Our Queen City themed chocolates are also popular with visitors who want to bring home a unique Charlotte souvenir. Locals do something similar when friends or family visit. Many people pick up our chocolates as welcome gifts or hostess gifts when traveling.

There’s a sense of pride in giving something handmade in Charlotte.

What “Partners in Tourism” Means

This award is part of the CRVA Partners in Tourism program, which highlights how many different businesses contribute to Charlotte’s visitor experience.

Tourism is really a collaboration. Hotels, event planners, caterers, the convention center, stadiums, transportation providers, restaurants, and specialty shops all play a part in how visitors experience the city.

A real partnership goes beyond simply placing orders. It involves conversations, planning, and working together so that every detail feels thoughtful. From the flights and hotel rooms to the chocolates waiting on a welcome table, all of those pieces add up to the impression someone takes home with them.

When we create custom chocolates for conventions, corporate events, hotels, or city celebrations, we know we’re part of something bigger. We’re helping represent Charlotte in a small but memorable way.

Proud to Represent Charlotte

We’re grateful to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority for this recognition and for the work they do to support tourism in our city.

Charlotte has an incredible hospitality community, and we’re proud to work alongside so many partners who care about making visitors feel welcome here.

For us, it’s simple. We make chocolate. But every time someone shares our chocolates with a visitor, sends a box across the country, or gives a Queen City chocolate as a gift, they’re also sharing a little piece of Charlotte.

And that’s pretty sweet.