Chocolate Walk fundraiser returns to downtown Naperville
Chocolate in February is always a good thing.
But combine it with a little walking to burn off those cocoa calories and it's doubly sweet.
Then mix it with a fundraiser and suddenly Cupid's favorite dessert is doing even more good.
That's the setup of the second annual Chocolate Walk for 360 Youth Services in downtown Naperville. From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, registered walkers can pop into 20 shops and restaurants within a few-block radius for what Katie Wood of the Downtown Naperville Alliance calls a “chocolate experience.”
Some stops will offer small chocolates that can be stashed in the commemorative tin each participant will receive with the $30 registration fee — or sampled right away, because who can resist?
Others will dole out something just as chocolaty but less traditional, such as chocolate bath salt packets at Peace boutique, chocolate drizzle caramel corn at Haagen-Dazs and peppermint bark at Naper Nuts and Sweets.
“There's plenty of chocolate to share among a couple or a family,” said Lisa Schwarz-Barry, marketing and events specialist for 360 Youth Services.
The organization, which offers counseling, mentoring, housing, drug and alcohol prevention and LGBTQ services, moved the Chocolate Walk to downtown last year in place of its established Chocolate Festival. People loved it, Schwarz-Barry said.
The event sold out 400 tickets last year, so organizers are selling 500 this year at four locations: The 360 office at 1305 Oswego Road; the Downtown Naperville Alliance office inside the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce at 55 S. Main St., Suite 351; It's a Bling Thing at 14 Jackson Ave.; and First Community Financial Bank at 24 W. Gartner Road.
Several new businesses, such as The Craftsman by Two Brothers, Everdine's Grilled Cheese Co., Vom Fass gourmet foods, Southern Tide apparel and Soft Surroundings home goods and fashions, will be in on the chocolate fun.
Established retailers and restaurants including Two Bostons Pet Boutique, It's a Bling Thing, Costello Jewelers, Catch 35 and Anderson's Bookshop are among the stops as well.
Last year, Wood said businesses enjoyed the ability to introduce themselves to new customers, some of whom told her, “'I love this because it got me into shops I never knew existed.'”
So while other new special events in Naperville, especially races that require road closures, are being asked to locate outside of the downtown, Wood and Schwarz-Barry say the Chocolate Walk seems on track to become a tradition there.
“Everyone really loved it,” Schwarz-Barry said.
Chocolate Walk
<b>Why:</b> Benefits 360 Youth Services
<b>When:</b> Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11
<b>Where:</b> 20 businesses in downtown Naperville
<b>Cost:</b> $30
<b>Details:</b> Tickets sold only in person at 360 Youth Services, 1305 Oswego Road; Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, 55 S. Main St., Suite 351; It's a Bling Thing, 14 Jackson Ave.; and First Community Financial Bank, 24 W. Gartner Road
<b>Info:</b> (630) 961-2992 or <a href="http://www.360youthservices.org/2017-chocolate-walk/">360youthservices.org/2017-chocolate-walk/</a>