Ghirardelli Chocolate Company will renovate its flagship location in San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square. The project is led by Bay Area based design firm Eight Inc., with all three Ghirardelli spaces within Ghirardelli Square being updated in a three-phase project slated to be finished by 2024. At least two of the three spaces, along with a pop-up shop, will be open throughout the entire process. Situated in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf area, Ghirardelli Square has been home to the chocolate brand since 1893. The company dates back to 1852.
“We can’t wait to unveil the first refreshed Ghirardelli Square space later this spring. Our flagship locations in Ghirardelli Square are a truly original San Francisco experience and a chocolate shop like no other. They are the best place to enjoy our World-Famous Hot Fudge Sundaes and shop the world’s largest assortment of Ghirardelli chocolates,” said Justin Reese, vice president of retail and e-commerce at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “The re-design brings new vibrancy to a classic space located at one of San Francisco’s most recognizable and picturesque destinations.”
First serving as a chocolate factory, Ghirardelli Square now houses Ghirardelli’s three unique flagship spaces (the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store, the Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop and Ghirardelli On-The-Go).
With the guest experience front and center, the restoration will bring truly unique touchpoints to each of the spaces. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store, which is set to be completed in May 2022, will house Ghirardelli’s largest Pick & Mix yet, allowing visitors to choose from more than 20 flavors of Ghirardelli’s chocolate squares available every day, plus rotating seasonal squares. The new Pick & Mix will blend digital and physical elements, introducing even more ways to personalize an assortment of Ghirardelli squares.
The Original Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop will bring the making of fountain shop favorites from the back of house to front of house for a full sensory experience. The store will feature a new chocolatier station to celebrate the craft of chocolate and offer the tastes and aromas of fresh chocolate, waffle cones and hot fudge. The signature hot fudge is handmade daily in store from rich Ghirardelli chocolate produced locally in the San Francisco Bay Area. The space will be adorned with details like custom hand-crafted tiles in Ghirardelli’s signature royal blue from Bay Area-based Heath Ceramics and retro advertising from throughout the company’s storied history.
The renovation is not expected to disrupt day-to-day activity to Ghirardelli’s experience at Ghirardelli Square. A Ghirardelli pop-up shop coming later in January will allow guests to still choose from three unique Ghirardelli experiences when visiting Ghirardelli Square and enjoy their favorite sundaes, hot cocoa and pick and mix offerings.
