Please note this blog post is sponsored by Harbor Sweets. To read more about that click here. Please also note that all images included in this blog post are copyright Miss Alyse Nicole Media, LLC and may not be used without permission. If you are a north shore business interested in working with me, click here.

Hi everyone! Happy Monday and welcome back to the blog. A few weeks ago Harbor Sweets was kind enough to welcome me and a guest behind the scenes for a tour of their facilities and to learn a little about their history. I had so much fun checking it all out, learning about them and (of course) sampling chocolates afterwards. Also, be sure to stay tuned until the end of this blog post because Harbor Sweets was kind enough to pass along a little treat for you as well.

When we first got there we watched a video that covered a little bit of background. It was only a few minutes long and gave a foundation for everything to follow during the tour.

Our tour was led by Erin and she walked us around, showing us some of their products and production areas while going over Harbor Sweets’ story. They will be 50 years old in 2023 which is amazing.

“In 1973 Harbor Sweets’ founder, Ben Strohecker challenged himself to create the “best piece of candy in the world”, regardless of cost. The result from his kitchen was the Sweet Sloops®, a sailboat shaped piece of almond butter crunch, covered in white chocolate dipped in dark chocolate and crushed pecans. Shortly after Ben moved the company out of his basement a partnership started to emerge when a Salem State College sophomore applied for a job as a part-time chocolate dipper at the tiny new candy factory on the Salem, Massachusetts waterfront.” [Source]

The sweet sloops (pictured below) are absolutely amazing, I promise. I have had them before and we left with some after the tour. Believe me when I tell you that not many of them saw sun up the next morning. They are hands down my favorite treat from Harbor Sweets.

“Harbor Sweets has grown significantly since its humble beginnings back in 1973. Today, the company employs over 100 people, and has several product lines such as its Classics with original nautical designs of Sweet Sloops, Sand Dollars, and Marblehead Mints, its Dark Horse Chocolates, a special equestrian themed line for horse enthusiasts and Salt & Ayre, a line of truffles and salted chocolates. Gather is a purpose-driven line of small batch chocolates with local wildflower honey, inspired by the honeybee plight. In 2017 Harbor Sweets acquired Cocoa Santé, a line of hot cocoa mixes made with organic cocoa and all natural ingredients. Available in five rich and creamy flavors and responsibly sourced. Each year close to a quarter of a million packages are sold and shipped all over the U.S.A. and to far-flung locations such as Switzerland and Japan. Specialty shops and boutiques sell its premium products across the United States.” [Source]

On the tour, we got to see all of the production areas of Harbor Sweets as well. The company still uses its original chocolate making techniques using copper kettles and wooden paddles. I was also super impressed to learn that they handle everything in house (including shipping), which allows them to maintain super high standards in quality and order management. Nothing is automated and everything is hands on.

I had such a great time checking everything out and spent the rest of the day sampling the chocolates we left with. We got an assorted collection so we could try a little of everything.

Now for the goodies! Harbor Sweets was kind enough to create a promo code for you guys. You can use code TREAT21 to get 10% off any purchase, online or in store. This discount does not include shipping. This promo code is valid through 11:59 PM EST 10/31/2021 so you have time to browse their products and even place multiple orders with it!

Enjoy everyone and thanks so much to Harbor Sweets for welcoming me in and showing me around.