The Theo Chocolate Factory is closing its Seattle factory this summer.
If you’ve spent any time in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, chances are you’ve gotten a whiff of the scent of melting chocolate in the air. That’s thanks to the Theo Chocolate Factory, which has been a popular attraction in Seattle for 18 years now. Sadly, Theo Chocolate has announced this week that they will be merging with American Licorice Company (ALC) and shutting down their manufacturing operations and factory tours in Seattle. Employee layoffs will also be part of the company’s restructuring.
Read on for all the information.
In a statement on June 28, 2023 Theo Chocolate announced:
We have been contending with rising costs across all aspects of our manufacturing and supply chain and have had to make some difficult but necessary decisions to ensure the future of the company and our mission.
The merger with ALC is “expected to close in the third quarter of 2023,” according to the statement. Theo Chocolate also announced “separately” but in the same statement that a restructuring of their operations will lead to the closure of the Seattle factory and the termination of about 60 Theo Chocolate employees starting in September. The company is pledging them support in the form of “severance pay, earned time off payouts, COBRA medical coverage, and access to job placement and mental health resources.”
Theo Chocolate has been known for its commitment to organic, fair-trade ingredients, fair wages, and sustainable farming practices. Their Theo Chocolate Factory Experience in Fremont has long been a popular activity amongst both tourists and Seattle locals. The hour-long factory tour costs $14 per person and includes chocolate tastings along with interactive education.
The final day to do the Theo Chocolate Factory Experience will be August 30, 2023. After that the Theo Chocolate Factory will cease manufacturing operations and close. Their location in Fremont will remain and serve as Theo Chocolate’s Flagship Store and Confection Kitchen.
You can read the full announcement over on the Theo Chocolate website. Be sure to hurry over there and take the tour before the end of August if you can!