Iconic San Francisco chocolate store gets big makeover
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is re-opening the doors to its historic flagship, which first opened for business in 1852.
The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop at Ghirardelli Square will reopen in San Francisco, on Thursday, July 13. After a six-month renovation of the historic building, the store has been transformed to celebrate Ghirardelli's history and craftsmanship as a U.S. chocolate pioneer, with a legacy in San Francisco dating back to the 1850s.
The redone interior features North America's largest flowing chocolate wall, a replica of a San Francisco cable car that doubles as a seating area and displays of antique chocolate-making equipment. The design embraces Ghirardelli's rich San Francisco history with a tiled mural of the city skyline on the second floor, as well as vintage Ghirardelli advertisements.
In addition, the store features the original 19-foot "G" from the historic, 100-year-old marque Ghirardelli sign, an icon that many travelers and locals identify with San Francisco. Aside from being rewired and outfitted with efficient, low-wattage bulbs, the sign components look just as they did in 1923, when illuminated displays were much more novel. (The updated sign is equipped with a Color Kinetics LED system that enables each letter to independently display a variety of colors.)
“We can't wait for the public to experience our redesigned iconic flagship store at Ghirardelli Square,” said Joel Burrows, Ghirardelli's president and CEO. "After being 171 years in business in San Francisco, we are proud of our deep roots in the city.”
Introduced in 1966, the Original Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop was Ghirardelli's first location that focused on sundaes. When it reopens, the menu will feature 15 different sundaes, including Ghirardelli's “World-Famous Hot Fudge Sundae.” Additionally, the renovated store format will showcase other fountain and bakery favorites including milkshakes, hot chocolate, brownies, cookies and chocolate covered strawberries.
The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop redesign is the second part of a multi-phased renovation project for the brand at Ghirardelli Square. Last year, the company unveiled a completely reimagined design for its other flagship retail space — the Chocolate Experience Store — at the location. The new store concepts and design of the multi-phase renovation project have been led by Bay Area design firm Eight Inc.
Founded in San Francisco in 1852, Ghirardelli is now part Lindt & Sprüngli.