Mario Lepore described his life a little more than a month ago as “full of anxiety” and “stressful.” Now, as the Hoboken-based chocolate maker settles into his new store at 105 4th St., he’s a little more excited than he was throughout a dreadful September and October for the long time Hoboken entrepreneur.
Lepore’s Homemade Chocolate, a symbol of ‘old Hoboken’ and a city landmark, has found a new home. Now that it’s just 200 feet from a bus stop, 500 feet from a school, and nestled between other businesses, Lepore hopes his store will draw even more business than it did at the previous Garden Street location.
“The community really came together to help me.” – Mario Lepore
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Preparing for a grand opening
“Things have been pretty crazy,” Lepore said when asked about the past month. The sounds of wood sawing and screeching equipment echoed through the empty store, which is still a few weeks away from welcoming customers once again to taste their unique homemade chocolate.
Lepore set a target date of Nov. 15 for the grand opening.
One goal for Lepore was to remain in the Mile Square City, even though operating a business within an expensive city like Hoboken could cause a storeowner to think of moving elsewhere. Lepore said he did have some thoughts about moving the business down the shore to a place like Asbury Park, but credits the community with his decision to stay open for business for the Hobokenites.
“The community really came together to help me,” Lepore said. “Rev. Marvin let me have his garage for storage space. The realtors have helped me out. The police and fire department members all helped me find a place. People who live in Hoboken who know the store have told me they’re happy we’re staying in town.”
Lepore, who is a Frank Sinatra (and New York Rangers) fanatic, said James Kaplan, the author of a just-released book entitled “Frank: The Voice” has requested the opportunity to organize a book signing event at Lepore’s once the store is open.
Change was ‘a good thing’
Through all the changes, Lepore said the new location is “a good thing.”
In the old neighborhood, his store was embedded in a residential community, but now that he’s a chocolate-covered strawberry’s throw from the well-travelled Washington Street, he hopes business will continue to thrive.
What stands between Lepore and opening once again is a decent amount of work to prepare the kitchen where the chocolate is made.
The key to good chocolate is simple for Lepore: “good ingredients.”
But first, he needs a kitchen, and that’s where the construction comes into play.
“I did the paint job myself,” Lepore said. “Now the guys are putting down a new kitchen floor. I’m going to get the kitchen going and I’m ready to start cooking.”
Lepore’s new location is a new chapter in the long history of the homemade chocolate store, one of the few left in the area.
“I’m really excited about the book signing,” Lepore said. “People need to celebrate Sinatra in his hometown.”
The old store design on Garden Street, which still remains colorfully painted, will not be totally replicated at the new location, but Lepore does have plans for a unique experience.
“It’s going to look like you’re coming into a ship,” Lepore explained. “We’ll have a little ramp like you’re walking the plank. We’ll also have columns, and some new refrigerated display cases to show off the chocolate.”
Lepore also said for some of the day he wants to make the chocolate in front of the window facing 4th Street so pedestrians can see how his job is done.
Ray Smith can be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com.