Fascia's Chocolates, Inc. in Waterbury Welcomes Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy

WATERBURY, Conn. - Sept. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- Fascia’s Chocolates, Inc., in Waterbury, Connecticut, which is celebrating 50 successful years in business, welcomed Governor Dannel P. Malloy on August 28 to their soon-to-open chocolate-making factory and retail store in Waterbury, Connecticut. Governor Malloy toured Fascia’s new facility at 44 Chase River Road and made a surprise visit to their current factory at 2066 Thomaston Avenue in Waterbury. “We couldn’t believe Governor Malloy made a special trip to visit us,” stated John Fascia, co-founder of Fascia’s Chocolates in 1964 with his wife Helen. “This is certainly more recognition than we ever envisioned for our company.”

The Fascia’s founded Fascia’s gourmet chocolates in their Waterbury home where their three daughters helped grow the business into the family’s full-time passion. For the past 50 years, Fascia’s has become a treasured destination and tradition for their loyal customers, and today, all the Fascia family members continue to work in the factory, and son-in-law Carmen Romeo is president.

“Governor Malloy very graciously toured our new building but he needed to envision our future presentation and production rooms and retail store which we will be completing in the next few weeks,” stated Romeo. “What was absent during his tour was the chocolate and the wonderful smells, so he very generously accepted our invitation to tour our existing factory just one mile away on Thomaston Avenue. We were all truly excited to welcome Governor Malloy and grateful for the generous amount of time he spent at Fascia’s Chocolates.”

The visit wrapped up the Governor’s summer-long effort to highlight the role Connecticut’s tourism and recreation attractions play in strengthening the state’s overall economy. Fascia’s is one of the 12 statewide world-renowned chocolatiers and local chocolate artisans on the Connecticut Chocolate Trail. Connecticut’s hospitality and tourism industry is responsible for $11.5 billion in spending and economic activity, generates $1.15 billion in state and local tax revenue, and employs more than 110,000 people, or 6.5%, of the state’s labor force.

“Through our Still Revolutionary tourism campaign, we have succeeded in bringing more people to our state, boosting attendance at our major attractions and spreading the word about all Connecticut has to offer,” said Governor Malloy. “We want to keep the momentum going by continuing to highlight our unique and family-friendly destinations, like Fascia’s and the Connecticut Chocolate Trail, and investing in the economic drivers that strengthen our competitive edge as a state.”

In late-September, Fascia’s is providing a new dimension to the State’s tourism experience with the addition of its new facility welcoming visitors to browse memorabilia, view real time operations of the production floor and provide visitors the hands-on opportunity to make their own chocolate bar. Fascia’s will also introduce their own gelatos made with authentic Italian ingredients and locally-sourced milk, and sorbets, as perfect complements to their gourmet chocolates.

“This is a tremendously exciting time for us all,” stated Romeo. “Our high-quality chocolates have been well-known locally for decades. Now we’re striving to build broader awareness of Fascia’s Chocolates, and the wonderful Waterbury region, as a destination for every season of each year. Our new 12,500 square foot factory is located immediately off Route 8 North at Exit 36, easily accessed from Interstate 84. Our new retail store will also feature Lynne’s Chocolate Cakery which was started by Fascia daughter, Lynne Mouanes, and has become well-known for fresh cakes and cupcakes.”

Columbus Day weekend, Fascia’s will host a Grand Opening Celebration at their new factory October 12, 13, 14. Festivities will include factory tours plus free samples of Fascia’s Chocolates, Fascia’s gelatos and sorbets, and raffle prizes each day. Music and entertainment will be scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday. Grand Opening tours will be held between 12 noon and 6:00 p.m. each day. Fees for the factory tours are $5/person, and $10/person for tour plus the opportunity to ‘make-your-own chocolate bar’. Reservations are not required, but are recommended. For information, visit www.fasciaschocolates.com, or call 203-753-0515.