Shop Talk : Easter Bunny's coming to town
By Katryn Yerdon
Published: April 1, 2010
The sun is shining, the kids are beaming, chocolate smeared on their laughing faces. It's Easter and family surrounds us, so you better make sure you are prepared.
There's a wide selection of homemade chocolate Easter bunnies at Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium in Oak Bluffs. Click on photo to enlarge.Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium is open for Easter weekend and beyond. Their homemade Easter chocolates include beautiful cream filled eggs ($3.25) or the solid Easter molded chocolates, both traditional and unique (starting at $3). Their traditional molds included bunnies, crosses, and ducks, while the more unusual selection includes bunnies in action on motorcycles, cars, and boats. They have even designed an amazing big solid chocolate rabbit riding on a tractor. It is a young boy's dream, made of solid milk chocolate. All of these items, along with their chocolate Easter pops, make great additions to any basket.
Other options include pre-made pails ($5 to $25) and empty ones that you can help fill. Visit between 11 am and 8 pm Thursday through Saturday, and if necessary you can even stop in for a few hours on Easter Sunday. They will close after Easter, so if you don't want to wait till summer for your chocolate fix, get moving now.
New Moon Magick's Enchanted Chocolates, also in Oak Bluffs, on Chapman Avenue (the same street as the Ocean View) is open from 10 am to 6 pm. While they are well known for their handmade, 70 percent cacao Enchanted Chocolates, Kathleen has been a busy bunny designing some unique Easter candies. You should try her decorated hollow eggs filled with Jelly Bellys, a chocolate dipped peep, and her yummy coconut cream or peanut butter filled eggs.
Not sure where to start? Kathleen has made it easy by making filled baskets for you ($9 to $24), and she is available to help design a specific basket for that special someone. Know someone who is watching his or her waistline? Kathleen's line of Martha's Vineyard soaps such as White Sage Mist, Lavender Mist ($5), Rose Water ($9), and Naked Chilmarkian After Beach Butter ($11) could be a great way to go.
Always a great stop, Alley's General Store is making very fun custom Easter baskets. You can call Rhonda at 774-563-9178 to design your special basket. Looking for extra basket stuffers? Alley's amazing selection of unique and entertaining items will be sure to please, especially their beautiful truffle eggs ensconced in their own egg carton.
Now, if you are one for efficiency - Cronig's in Vineyard Haven is your new best friend. Not only can you pick up everything you need for a fabulous Easter dinner, but also everything you need to make a great basket. Whether it is Big Ears Bunny or Too Tall Bunny, solid chocolate is a must. Pick one of their great baskets along with some grass and start filling with Easter M&M's, Snickers, jelly beans, chocolate eggs, and so much more. The unique Bunny House Set (think gingerbread) is $11.69, or try the 12 Easter Egg Sugar Cookies Set that includes everything you need to decorate (a great way to spend quality time with the kids). Chocolates aside, their beautiful roses ($8.99/dozen) in shades of pink, would make a great gift or centerpiece.
And lastly, Chilmark Chocolates is open Thursday through Saturday, from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm. Get your loved ones their favorite ¼-, 1/2-, or 1-pound box of Beetlebung bars, Chappy Chewies, or bunny pops.
Have a Happy Easter enjoying your family and friends.
