Chocolate Box Cafe to leave city

The Chocolate Box Cafe will leave La Cañada Flintridge when its lease expires next year, owner Anna Travaglia confirmed.

“Our lease expires in March, but we are not going out of business,” Travaglia said.

The Chocolate Box Cafe in Malibu will remain open, Travaglia said, and she is exploring a second, alternative location.

The gourmet chocolate and sandwich shop opened in the 700 block of Foothill Boulevard La Cañada in 2005. Its assorted chocolate fare includes pralines, ganaches, truffles and marzipan. It is also known for its hot chocolate and gelato.

In recent months, however, business has been slow, Travaglia said. Despite ample parking behind the La Cañada location, there are many days when she has fewer than five customers.

“I just think they don’t want to spend the money,” Travaglia said.

However, business at the Malibu location is booming, Travaglia said. She opened that store, at 3939 Cross Creek Road, in November.