Naperville's Ethel's Chocolate Lounge to close

Mars Inc. is closing its Ethel's Chocolate Lounge concept in the suburban area, the company announced.

Five of the remaining six Ethel's upscale lounges are scheduled to close by the end of the month.

The location in downtown Naperville serving chocolate drinks, candies and other confections to eat in or take home, will close for good this Saturday, company officials said.

Three Ethel's stores in Chicago and one in Evanston also will close by the end of the month, said Jennifer Gudgel, brand director for gourmet chocolate for Mars Retail Group, owner of Ethel's. The store at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie also will close, but a date has not been set. An Ethel's in Deer Park closed last year.

The Naperville store will be open until 9 p.m. Saturday. The full line of chocolates, as well as Easter candies, will be available until that time, Gudgel said.

After the local stores close, Ethel's chocolates will be available online at ethelschocolate.com or in Las Vegas, where eight stores will remain open.

Mars, best known for candy such as M&M's and Snickers, debuted the Ethel's in this area about three years ago with its stores bathed in pink and brown decor.