Kentucky chocolate shop makes closure permanent. ‘This was our beginning’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chocomania announced immediate temporary closure of its Georgetown location.
- Georgetown city closed the shop in late March after finding structural issues.
- Fayette Mall location and Meltease gelato concept owned by the same sisters remain open.
Chocomania announced on April 15 that its Georgetown location has closed for good after five years.
The news came after the shop owners initially announced a temporary closure the day before. Then came word that the structural needs of the building at 117 N. Broadway in Georgetown were greater than anticipated.
“After thorough evaluations and engineer assessments, we were informed that significant work will need to be done on the building — work that is expected to take several months. After careful consideration, we made the incredibly difficult decision to close this chapter,” Chocomania said. “This is not just a business to us… this was our beginning.
“Five years ago, we opened our doors with a dream — and you welcomed us, supported us, and helped us grow into what we are today. ... We would truly appreciate your continued support at our Lexington location, where we will keep creating, serving, and sharing the same love you’ve always known.”
The shop is owned by four sisters — Christine, Sharline, Iris and Vanda Sawalha — who opened a second location in Fayette Mall, where they’ve now added a second concept, Meltease, that is focused on gelato and other frozen treats. Both of those businesses remain open.
The store said online that it will work with customers to fulfill existing orders or help arrange alternatives.
Christine Sawalha said in an email that on March 28, they noticed “some concerning issues inside the building and contacted the city to come and assess the situation. They met with both us and the landlord and advised that we temporarily shut down until protective measures (such as a safety structure in front of the building) were put in place.”
They indicated at that time that operations could resume once those measures were secured, she said, but “as the situation continued to evolve and additional concerns came up, we made the decision to suspend all operations, including both the front retail space and kitchen production, out of an abundance of caution.”
Reaction was swift as the news broke online that the store has closed permanently. “I’m so sorry! I will definitely miss you guys,” wrote one follower.
“THIS BREAKS MY HEART,” wrote another.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 9:18 AM.
