We’re Feeling Wilmarvelous!

January 28th, 2012

Pecan Wilmarvel Hatchlings

Ever wonder about Chocolate Turtles – why they are named Turtles? The original confectionary Turtle resembled the reptile of the same name; with pecans as the legs, caramel for the soft body and chocolate for the shell. Turtles were developed in the San Francisco/Oakland area sometime in the late 1920-30′s by a couple who learned to make candy from Mary See of See’s Chocolates.

Somewhere along the way the product was trademarked and sold.  Nestle Corporation owned it for a time and now Turtles are sold as a DeMet’s Candy Company product.

Which is why we’re feeling Wilmarvelous. The name turtle is a registered trademark, so you’ll notice that though almost all confectioner/candymakers make a turtle-like product there  are many unique monikers for the delicious confection. Pecan Buds, Snappers, Tortoises, Tuttles  are a few of the alternative names.

For us the name is Wilmarvels. Years ago we had a contest to name our January seasonal speciality which was a macadamia, caramel and chocolate concoction. Wilmarvel was our choice. Over the years the name has come to describe our original “turtle” and our cashew variety. To distinguish between the three varieties we use Pecan Wilmarvel, Cashew Wilmarvel and the Macadamia Wilmarvel (MacMarvel for short!).

It’s our MacMarvel Season now (early January through February, sometimes March). Pecan and Cashew Wilmarvels are always in season.

Our Winner!

December 28th, 2011

Our OH SO LUCKY contest winner, David Vondrachek. Guessed 1318 ornaments, correct count was 1318. He won five pounds of chocolates! Congratulations David, we wish you continued luck in 2012.

Our LUCKY contest winner David

Best Chocolatier Award 2011

November 16th, 2011

Wilmar was again voted Best Candymaker in the Post-Crescent Best of the Valley contest. We’re honored to serve the Fox Valley in this IMPORTANT way! Much appreciation to those of you who took the time to vote for us.

The photo attached is the WIL & MAR who started it all. It is because of our founders & you that we continue to be the #1 chocolatier in the area.

Our holiday newsletter will be available online and at our shop on November 22, until then:
Need some see-food? Our first batch of chocolate oysters are ready.
Need a truffle rush? The seasonal Hot Buttered Rum truffles await you.
Need chocolate? Stop in. Breath in the aroma of chocolate. Try our free sample of the day.

 

Wilbur & Mary Jane circa 1970's

 

OPEN!

October 12th, 2011

Hooray! Wisconsin Avenue is completed and 100% OPEN. Come for a drive, it’s a smooth ride! The horizontal power lines were buried, so it has a cleaner look. And while you’re out, stop for our free chocolate sample; no zigging or zagging necessary to get to us.

Opening Day, Wisconsin Avenue Block Party

 

Fall On A Stick

September 29th, 2011

It’s honey crisp time! Yesterday we made our first batch of x-large apples using honey crisp variety apples. These apples are big, crispy, slightly tart, juicy. We make four caramel apple variations; au natural, with peanuts, chocolate laced, and pecan with chocolate. When we say BIG we mean it. This apple begs to be shared, and if not shared it’s a meal on a stick!

We’ve been briskly making and selling our medium sized caramel apples all of September; natural, peanut and chocolate laced. We use locally grown apples, changing varieties as they ripen, so you can practically taste the fresh air and sunshine. We started with paula reds and are now using macintosh.

Our caramel is made from scratch, using locally produced milk and cream. Listen for the moo.

It’s a great apple year according to Don at Star Orchard; loads of apples. The season looks to be long and sweet. We hope you to see you often and hope you find Wilmar caramel apple season to be completely Fall-filling.

Wilmarvel apple before chocolate lacing

The Chocolate Season

August 19th, 2011

After our annual July shutdown, it’s great to be back; every copper pot shined, all the floors freshly waxed, everyone rested. Our chocolate stores are fully replenished, and our delicious confections are being devoured by those who gave up chocolate for July!

August is the kickoff of our chocolate “season.” Throughout the year we change up our specialties, incorporating local ingredients or festivities into our confectionery offerings. Right now it’s cherry picking season in Door County (a favorite nearby Wisconsin destination where tart montmorency cherries grow in abundance), it’s also cherry pie season! We pay homage with our Cherry Pie chocolate bar. This season’s Door County cherries (dried), freshly roasted almonds, a dash of cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt are mixed with creamy milk chocolate. The result?  A 7.5 ounce decadent vitamin packed chocolate bar.

Sound irresistible? It is. And if you want proof, just present yourself any Thursday, Friday or Saturday in August at our shop. It’s our free sample on those days.

How to Find Us: Use Richmond or Oneida to Wisconsin Avenue. Or if you are daunted by the ROAD CLOSED signs, use Summer Street. Watch for our signs. They will guide you to our shop. On Wisconsin Avenue watch for our big sign or our shop. Please call us if you need more detailed directions.

Cherry Pie Chocolate Bar

Wilmar Cherry Pie Chocolate Bar

On August 1 We’re Open for Chocolate Sales!

July 30th, 2011

On Monday, August 1 we’ll reopen your favorite chocolate shop for the upcoming season. Thankfully road construction on our stretch is open for business traffic and getting to our shop is smooth sailing. Easiest drive to Wilmar: Richmond or Oneida Streets from the north or south, then turn onto Wisconsin Avenue. Remember there will always be a free sample awaiting you.

Mix It Up! chocolate bars are “live” on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. You may order for pick up any day of the week, Monday through Saturday. Just give us 24 hour notice. We’ll be sampling our new Cherry Pie chocolate bar, with Door County cherries, almonds, cinnamon, and sea salt, all through August on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

If the weather stays warm… our best confections for warmer weather travel are wrapped caramels and Wisconsin butter toffee (both Wisconsin State Fair winners.) And of course our home roasted cashews are perfect since they don’t melt!

Caramel-Tower1_LRG_400x320.shkl

Wilmar wrapped caramels in three flavors; vanilla, chocolate and vanilla nut

Annual Shut Down

June 27th, 2011

Our annual month of July shut down is just days away. It is traditionally the hottest month of the year in Wisconsin, which means melted chocolate. It’s a good time to take a break and to repair, clean and shine up our shop and kitchen. Our contact information is available on our website if you have any need to contact us. We will reopen Monday August 1, smiling and ready to fulfill your chocolate desires.

How to Find Us: To find us from the south you can use Richmond or Oneida to Summer Street. From the north use Richmond or Oneida to Brewster Street. Watch for our signs at Superior Street. They will help guide you to our shop and parking lots. Please call us if you need more detailed directions.

Dads & Chocolate

June 14th, 2011

Even though men don’t proclaim how much they love it… men choose chocolate as their favorite flavor as often as women do.

In honor of Dad’s everywhere, we’ve got plenty of ‘fresh from our candy kitchen’ ways to satisfy Dad’s craving and to make your shopping easy for Father’s Day. To name just a few of our prize winning offerings; chocolate covered cherries, sea salt caramels, chocolate covered pretzels, truffles in a variety of flavors or our signature chocolate cow. For those of you looking for a unique outing, our Mix It Up! Chocolate Bar will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11-5. A trip with Dad to the Chocolate Bar is a gift he will never forget! Choose from over 40 different mix-ins and we make a chocolate bar for your Dad on the spot.

Make his June 19th memorable. We’ve got it covered for you… chocolate covered that is.

How to Find Us: The Oneida Street intersection is closed. To find us from the south you can use Richmond to Summer Street or Oneida to Spring Street. From the north use Richmond to Brewster Street or Glendale to Superior Street. Watch for our signs. They will help guide you to our shop and parking lots. Please call us if you need more detailed directions.

Happy Father's Day box with Wilmar Chocolates

Dairy Month, Caramels & Road Work

June 2nd, 2011

Yes it’s June… Dairy Month! Wilmar caramels are the epitome of our candy making craft and the use of fresh, local ingredients. The cream is abundant and sweet this time of year – the cows grazing on spring grasses – full of fresh air and sunshine. Our caramels are cream rendered from this local bounty, slow cooked to reach a soft, golden perfection. One bite & you’ll experience the contentment that permeates the Wisconsin countryside;  a soft warm breeze blowing, the sway of grasses growing, and perhaps a satisfied lowing.

And hand in hand comes progress! Road construction is moving along at a fast clip. Curbing is completed, and what’s left is boulevard, sidewalk, electrical and intersection work.

How to Find Us: The Oneida Street and Superior Street intersections are closed. To find us from the south you can use Richmond & Oneida to Summer Street. From the north use Richmond or Division to Summer Street. Watch for our signs. They will help guide you to our parking lots. Please call us if you need more detailed directions.

Wilmar chocolate cow with bow & bell