I've Got a Golden Ticket!

Li-Lac Chocolates, the iconic West Village chocolate shop has taken a page out of Willy Wonka's book. Li-Lac, one of the cities oldest chocolatiers, invited hundreds of chocoholics to their flagship store for "A Chocolate Celebration."

It was not just Village chocoholics who took note of this event. On the day of the event Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Quinn issued a proclamation and letter honoring Martha Bond and Li-lac Chocolates for their contributions to NYC as a local business and community leader.

Li-Lac Chocolates has been a fixture in the West Village since 1923, and still uses most of their original recipes. The result is some of the city's most delicious chocolates. On Saturday, December 3, co-owners Anwar Khoder and Anthony Cirone hosted "A Chocolate Celebration - A History of Li-Lac Chocolates" in honor of Martha Bond, one of Li-Lac's past owners who spent three decades with the shop. "I am so glad Anwar and Anthony are teaming up to take Li-Lac into its second century. I completely trust them to preserve this amazing legacy," Bond said, "although I will still be watching them like a hawk to ensure they maintain all the old traditions. I am looking forward to being the Guest of Honor at the 100-year anniversary gala celebration in 2023!"

Guests at the event learned about Li-Lac's time-honored production methods and they saw first-hand some of the antique molds that are almost a century old and still in use today. Among the copper pots and marble tables visitors enjoyed good conversation, wine and, of course, complimentary chocolates. Li-Lac has locations throughout the city, but the original shop--in all its 1920s glory--resides at 40 8th Avenue (at Jane Street), and is well worth a trip for anyone who considers themselves a chocolate fan.