New Morkes chocolate shop open in Huntley

A new gourmet chocolate shop in downtown Huntley is serving up an array of treats.

Morkes The Chocolate Shop - a distributor of Morkes Chocolates of Palatine owned by Rhonda Morkes, third-generation operator of a family business started in 1920 ­- opened for business Monday. It is independently owned by Claudia and Rick Kendzior of Crystal Lake.

"It is delicious chocolate, very creamy and nongrainy," said Claudia Kendzior. "We always get many compliments. It has traveled the world."

The shop, relocated from Algonquin, now is part of Huntley's newly constructed Sawyer Kelley Mercantile Building at 11801 E. Main St., just west of Parkside Pub. The one-story, 5,400-square-foot, multitenant commercial building replaced the former 19th century Sawyer-Kelley mill originally owned by local businessmen W.G. Sawyer and John Kelley who helped develop Huntley.

"We have a beautiful spot here in downtown Huntley," said Kendzior, 57, who started as an employee of Morkes Chocolates 10 years ago, later becoming the store manager in Algonquin and ultimately buying the business four years ago. "It's been great to see Huntley (residents) come by and enjoy their coffee and doughnuts. We've had lots of families in strollers. We have a water station for doggies out in front."

Drawing more foot traffic partly was the reason for the move to Huntley, Kendzior said.

"Being part of a downtown area is really wonderful," Kendzior said. "It was nice that we were able to expand and include the doughnuts and the coffee."

The Huntley shop features free Wi-Fi, combined indoor and outdoor seating for 24 people, and a party room for 40 guests for hosting birthdays, corporate gatherings, meetings and fondue parties. Store hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.