In the heart of Clover, South Carolina, there’s a small business making a big impact—Carolina Chocolate. Known for its handmade treats, welcoming atmosphere, and community spirit, the shop has become a local favorite for chocolate lovers and ice cream seekers alike. Behind it all is Alicia Griffith, whose journey from stay-at-home mom to small business owner is as rich and layered as her best-selling bark.
From Craft Shows to a Chocolate Shop
Carolina Chocolate began in August 2013, when Alicia started selling chocolate at local craft shows, vendor events, and through wholesale partnerships with other retailers. Her entrepreneurial background—and the encouragement of a longtime friend—led her to explore the idea of turning a shared dream into a business.
With her children still young, Alicia wanted a venture that allowed her to stay deeply involved in their lives while also building something meaningful. Chocolate proved to be the perfect fit. The early days were grassroots and community-centered, with fellow stay-at-home moms helping label products in a small North Carolina kitchen while their kids played nearby.
Growing One Step at a Time
The business grew gradually—through reinvestment, updated packaging, and word of mouth. Today, Carolina Chocolate operates six days a week in Clover, offering not just confections but also ice cream, which has added a whole new layer of joy to the shop, especially for young visitors.
While no two days are the same in a small business, Alicia finds the rhythm of making and packaging chocolate rewarding. Even more so, she values the connections she’s made with customers—many of whom return regularly not just for the sweets, but for the sense of community.
Signature Sweets
Among Carolina Chocolate’s offerings, the Espresso Bark stands out as a crowd favorite. Created as an alternative to the time-consuming process of hand-dipping espresso beans, this layered treat blends dark chocolate, ground espresso, white chocolate, and cinnamon. It’s a clever and delicious solution that’s remained one of the shop’s top sellers.
Another seasonal favorite is Peppermint Bark, which returns every year to the delight of locals. It’s even been said that you can smell the peppermint in the air outside when it’s being made—a sensory signal that the holidays are near.
Built on Community
Alicia credits much of the business’s success to local support—not just from customers, but from fellow small business owners. Over the past eight years in Clover, Carolina Chocolate has grown alongside other local shops, creating a close-knit, collaborative environment where referrals, encouragement, and shared customers are the norm.
Visitors come from all over—Belmont, Lake Wylie, Fort Mill, Kings Mountain—but the heart of Carolina Chocolate remains local. The shop often encourages customers to explore the rest of downtown, helping to build a stronger business district that benefits everyone.
A Family Effort
One of the most meaningful aspects of running the shop has been involving her family. Alicia’s children have all worked in the shop at different times, and that personal connection to the business adds an extra layer of pride and purpose to everything Carolina Chocolate does.
Though the chocolate is handmade in Clover, its reach has extended far beyond. Products from Carolina Chocolate have even found their way into big-box stores—a testament to how far a small operation with big heart can go.
Stop In and Savor
Whether you're stopping in for the first time or making your weekly visit, Carolina Chocolate welcomes everyone with warmth and sweetness. From fan-favorite bark to rotating ice cream flavors, there’s something special waiting inside—and it’s all crafted with care, one batch at a time.
