Andrea Smith (right) with one of her more frightening all-chocolate creations.
Nooooooo! Rarely does a shop closure make me want to fall to my knees and cry out to the heavens, but this one hurts. After nearly three years of business in East Nashville's Shoppes on Fatherland, Chocolate F/X is closing. Andrea Smith, the shop's KISS-loving, chocolate-monster-making master announced the news on social media this morning, saying, "It breaks our heart-shaped boxes to announce that we’ll be closing our retail location at the Shoppes on Fatherland in East Nashville on Feb. 18."
I profiled Smith, a couple years ago after falling in love with her innovative treats with a dark side. With a background in special effects makeup, she was able to hand-carve molds of anything imaginable — from a terrifying clown face (pictured below) to your favorite Star Wars characters. Some of her truffles were also perfect for my true crime-loving sweet tooth, in flavors like Cereal Killer (Cap'n Crunch ganache!). (If you're clutching your pearls, she also has less creepy stuff available.)
The bright side: Smith will still continue crafting her ghastly and delicious treats, which you'll be able to buy online at chocolatefx.net. And at least we will have the shop to help us survive one more Valentine's Day — go stock up on Chocolate F/X's famous Frankenheart, champagne truffles, chocolate-covered strawberries, hand-painted truffles and, yes, even a crispy doo doo-shaped confection for that special someone who's "the shit." See all their Valentine gifts here.
If they have the Strawberry Marshmallow Feuilletine Crunch (or any variation thereof), GET IT. BUY IT IMMEDIATELY AND SHOVE IT IN YOUR MOUTH BEFORE YOU EVEN WALK OUT THE DOOR. Smith's homemade marshmallow is to die for — sticky and fluffy and creamy. It's perfect.
Thanks for all sweet and spooky memories, Chocolate F/X.
The shop's obituary is below.
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