Shops We Love: Harbor Sweets
Location
85 Leavitt St, Salem, MA 01970
Harbo Sweets factory
Harbor Sweets founder Ben Strohecker began his chocolate journey many years ago by experimenting in his kitchen in Marblehead, Massachusetts. It was there that he made, almost my accident, the company’s famous Sweet Sloops chocolates.
Colleen Norvé, president of Harbor Sweets, says not having enough dark chocolate made Strohecker use white chocolate to help coat his butter crunch. The end result looked similar to a sailboat, donning the name “Sweet Sloops” from his wife.
Since it first started back in 1973, Harbor Sweets has grown into a well-established chocolate shop and community staple in Salem, Massachusetts. It now employs about 100 people and offers many different products that include its Sweep Sloops from its Classics line to Salt & Ayre, from the equestrian line and Gather, that is made with local wildflower honey.
Harbor Sweets Colleen Norve
The mission behind Harbor Sweets has always stayed the same: producing quality products for its customers. And while using only the finest and freshest ingredients was always important, so was investing in the community.
“Since our inception it has also been an important part of our mission to invest a portion of our earnings in community services,” says Norvé. “Our charitable giving generally focuses on organizations that support local community outreach, children in crisis, feeding people in need, women’s programs, preserving open space and benefiting animal welfare.”
Harbor Sweets exterior
The Shop
You’ll find Harbor Sweets located on 85 Leavitt Street in Salem with a front door that looks straight out of a fairytale. Lined in make-believe white columns, the entrance almost doesn’t appear real, but lucky for all of us, it is.
Inside, the space houses its factory in the back where the day-to-day operations take place, whipping up sweets for all to enjoy.
The front of the building is where you’ll find a small retail shop with chocolates to purchase, which come in nautical themed gift boxes or decorative bags. Jars of sauces are also here to purchase, such as caramel or dark chocolate, ideal for drizzling over ice cream.
Harbor Sweets will soon be launching a new retail store in Beverly, Massachusetts, and is set to open in the fall.
Top-Selling Chocolates
Harbor Sweets - Sweet Sloops in Keepsake Box
The almond butter crunch toffee made with real butter is covered in white chocolate, dark chocolate, and pecans, and a first choice for many of the shop’s customers. “While toffee is not unique in the world of confections the flavor profile of Sweet Sloops is unique,” says Norvé. “The balance of toffee to white and dark chocolate and chopped pecans is just perfect.”
Harbor Sweets Sand Dollars
Sand Dollars Caramel
This caramel is handmade with local wildflower honey, making for a deliciously smooth explosion in the mouth. According to Norvé, the Sand Dollar Caramel is “cooked using copper kettles and wooden paddles,” and “combines dark sweet chocolate, creamy butter caramel and pecan halves formed in the shape of a sand dollar.” The sand dollar design on the top is modeled after a local lobsterman’s woodcarving, keeping these sweet treats rich in history within the community.
Harbor Sweets Marblehead Mints
Chocolate and mint never goes out of style, and the Marblehead Mint proves it, being one of the top three most sought after flavors this shop offers. No wonder this product is popular as Norvé says it provides “the taste of dark sweet chocolate with a delicate peppermint crunch throughout” each bite.
Also look for
Cocoa lovers should try Cocoa Santé. This organic line of hot cocoa mixes was acquired by Harbor Sweets back in 2017. Made with all natural ingredients sourced from farmers in Dominican Republic and South America and available in 5 flavors, this cocoa is not only rich in flavor (and can be made in an instant) but is also rich in antioxidants that can boost your immune system.