Small-batch N.L. chocolate company receives provincial grant for marketing and production

Mount Pearl, Nfld. – A small business that began as an idea and involved a lot of chocolate tasting has grown into Newfoundland and Labrador’s first bean-to-bar chocolate company. Support from the provincial government will help Mount Pearl company Jacobean Studio Inc. bolster its marketing and production initiatives.

Growing from tasting and sourcing, to creating bean-to-bar variety chocolates and opening its own studio in 2018, the company was awarded the Excellence in Craft Product Design Award from the Annual Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence in 2019. Jacobean produces a number of products using cacao beans from Mexico and Peru, including single-origin bars and inclusion bars that feature Newfoundland and Labrador berries. Company owner Darryl Pike is a self-taught chocolate maker.

Jacobean was approved for $36,490 from the Business Development Support program for marketing and advertising initiatives. The company is looking to grow through Atlantic Canada, create new chocolate moulds and packaging, as well as upgrade its website.