Swiss chocolatier Läderach is opening a flagship store in New York City, its 100th store across the world.

The 2,500-sq.-ft. store, located at 537 5th Ave. and 45th St., awakens all the senses. It features a rotating cocoa bean sculpture designed specially for this location by World Chocolate Master Elias Läderach, a title he earned in 2018 after competing against pastry chefs from 20 countries. 

Offering more than 100 chocolate varieties, the flagship store will feature a dedicated FrischSchoggi counter where consumers can select from over 20 varieties of its signature hand-cut chocolate bark. Additional store offerings include a counter devoted to its unique praline and MiniMousses collections, as well as a self-serve, wrapped-chocolate carousel for ChocoBijoux, among many other chocolate varieties and seasonal collections. All chocolate featured is freshly made from bean to bar and shipped directly to the store.  

Läderach’s retail and e-commerce expansion builds upon its entry in London, Toronto and New York City. Just in time for the winter holidays, Läderach opened up a retail store in the American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. An additional U.S. retail location is set to open at Union Station in Washington, D.C. in February 2021.  

Earlier this month, the House of Läderach, a chocolate experience center and outlet store, opened in Bilten, Switzerland.

“We make fresh, artisanal chocolate from Switzerland, and our first store in New York and e-commerce performance proves that there is demand for our unique chocolate experience,“ said CEO Johannes Läderach. “We are excited to meet the growing premium chocolate demand in the U.S. through this expansion.”

Läderach also pointed to a recent experience with Edward McMullen, U.S. ambassador to Switzerland.

“During his tour of the Läderach manufactory in the Swiss Alps, [McMullen] recognized the excellent quality and freshness of our products,” Läderach said. “He applauded our expansion into the U.S. and wished Läderach and our team success as we expand our fresh chocolates in the U.S.”  

Because the company controls the entire production and distribution channel, Läderach’s product freshness is second-to-none. The chocolate is made bean-to-bar in-house, finished by hand, and brought directly to fully-owned retail locations. 

During this time of need, chocolate can be a welcoming treat to lift spirits of frontline workers — doctors, nurses, firefighters and EMTs — who regularly risk their well-being to help others. To celebrate these individuals, upon purchase, store customers can nominate a frontline worker to receive a large Läderach milk chocolate heart with whole, roasted hazelnuts on behalf of them, compliments of Läderach.