Chock-Full of Sweet Delights

To the delight of chocoholics, a tiny shop in Beverly Hills has begun churning out sweetness in time for Valentine’s Day.

The motto of Chocolate Etc is: “You name it, we make it.” For the romantic with a serious sweet tooth, try a basket made of chocolate that includes a chocolate champagne bottle and two white chocolate glasses. Perhaps something a little more simple like a chocolate heart or rose is more to your taste.

The shop is filled with antiques. A wooden cabinet by the front door is stocked with a selection of the not-so-traditional Valentine fare--a white chocolate bagel, a chocolate typewriter with white chocolate keys and a chocolate toothbrush. Prices range anywhere from $2.50 on up, depending on the size.

Behind the counter, employees heat chocolate and pour it into molds--there are about 500--then refrigerate it for about 10 minutes. The process takes about an hour.

Owner Edith Winston, a native of Hungary and daughter of a pastry chef, opened the store nearly three years ago.

“My love (of chocolate) started when I was a little kid,” said Winston, a 65-year-old Westwood resident. “My creativeness came from my dad.”

Winston didn’t follow in her father’s footsteps; most recently, she was a real estate agent. But her love of chocolate remained. In the late 1970s, she began making chocolate goodies for clients and later went into business with her daughter, Valerie.

Today, the mother-daughter duo operate the 410-square-foot store tucked among the exclusive stores and restaurants of Beverly Hills.

“To me, (making chocolate) is like a tranquilizer,” Winston said. “I come in here and start playing.”

The store also has lots of delicious diversions, including Cocoa La Mocha fettuccine with Chocoholics fat-free chocolate sauce. And for those on a diet, the store also sells fat-free frozen yogurt. Flavors rotate on a daily basis.

Chocolate Etc, 430 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays. Information: (310) 858-6595.