Chocolate Necessities has been handcrafting chocolates and confections for nearly 40 years, but if you haven’t visited their downtown Bellingham location recently, it’s worth a trip! Owners Rose Vogel and Michael Howell purchased the business from Founder Kevin Buck in 2023, and they’ve worked to reinvigorate the cafe while upholding Chocolate Necessities’ long-standing dedication to excellence.
Photograph by Kristen Boehm
Chocolate Necessities started serving authentic Italian gelato when its downtown cafe moved to Commercial Street in 2018. Vogel says she took a lot of classes to get up to speed on gelato when she came onboard, and that their Italian suppliers visit every six months to demonstrate new products and ensure quality.
“They’re pretty particular,” she laughs. “They just introduced us to the mascarpone [gelato], and with the blueberry, it’s really good.”
Photograph by Kristen Boehm
The gelato is made daily in-house, slow-churned with fresh ingredients to create the thick, creamy consistency gelato is known for. The team will often create new ideas to supplement the classics—along with Pistachio and Gianduja, expect to find flavors like Strawberry Dubai and London Fog. They offer gelato flights so that you can try five flavors at once, and affogatos so you can enjoy this chilly treat paired with piping hot espresso, whipped cream, and cocoa powder!
Photograph by Kristen Boehm
Of course, the company’s main focus is their high-quality chocolates. Howell made sure to point out that they use couverture chocolate, with a high percent of cocoa butter ensuring the richest results. Their fine truffles, handmade at their factory on the Guide Meridian, come in over 30 unique shapes and flavors. Discover all of this and more by visiting their cozy cafe soon! 1408 Commercial St., Bellingham, 360.733.6666, chocolatenecessities.com
