A Chocolate Factory? In Estes Park? You Bet.
Folks, it’s happening. If you’ve ever dreamed of being dropped into a Hallmark movie and fed handmade candy by a talking moose… well, your dream is about to come true.
Right here in downtown Estes Park, in the old 1909 church building on West Elkhorn Avenue, The Stanley Chocolate Factory is gearing up to open its doors this Labor Day. That’s right—chocolate, history, BBQ, rooftop views, toy trains, and just enough local flair to remind you you’re still in Estes Park.
And in my humble opinion? It’s about time we sweetened the deal downtown.
From Church Pew to Chocolate Bar
This charming building was once home to the Presbyterian congregation of Estes Park. It has soul in the walls and good bones beneath the floors. John Cullen, the visionary behind The Stanley Hotel (yes, the one with the ghosts and the grand piano), purchased the building and turned it into something magical.
He preserved its historic charm—antique oak display cases from 1904, a Stanley Steamer from 1906, and even a grand staircase that would make Willy Wonka tip his hat. Add to that a toy train that delivers chocolate bars down from the kitchen (yes, you read that right), and you’ve got yourself a full-blown chocolate experience.
Oh, and there’s an AI-powered talking moose named Delaney. I have no idea what that moose is going to say—but if he’s got thoughts on fudge, I want to hear them.
Barbecue on the Roof? Count Me In.
Here’s where things get even better. Wes Moore, pitmaster from WesTex BBQ, will be running the rooftop restaurant. Wes’s Award Winning BBQ proudly served on Butcher Paper like all good Texas BBQ. You’ll find melt in your mouth chicken, pork ribs, pulled pork and Brisket. You won’t be disappointed.
Think checkered tablecloths, picnic tables, mountain air, and panoramic Estes Park views. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, sitting up there with a pulled pork sandwich in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other? That’s living right.
A Carousel with a Cause
One of the sweetest parts of this story comes next summer. The Stanley Chocolate Factory will unveil a vintage carousel—the kind of hand-carved beauty you usually only see in films or Museums.
Even better, 23 children’s hospitals across the country will be invited to “adopt” one of the carousel animals as part of a fundraising initiative. That means kids from all over the country will have a little piece of Estes Park in their hearts—and maybe, one day, under their feet too.
That’s the kind of community spirit that makes this place special.
Yes, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream. But it’s also something bigger. This is about giving an old building new life, blending small-town charm with big ideas, and creating a space where locals and visitors can gather, share stories, and make memories.
It’s going to bring in tourists, sure. But more importantly, it gives us all another reason to head downtown—to eat, laugh, shop, and maybe listen to a moose crack jokes about fudge.
Mark Your Calendar for Labor Day 2025
So here’s your plan: come for the mountain air, stay for the chocolate, and maybe grab some BBQ while you’re at it. If you see me downtown, don’t be a stranger—I’ll be the guy grinning with fudge in one hand and a story in the other.
Want to read the original scoop? Full story here from Estes Valley Voice.
