eat me drink me

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In these days of fancy chocolate shops and artisanal cacao tasting, JoMart Chocolates in Marine Park, Brooklyn has remained faithful for 60 years to fresh, handmade chocolate done using old fashioned confectionary skills.

Making chocolate has run in the family from the penny-candy-making grandfather, to his entrepreneur son and most recently, to the 56-year-old grandson, Michael Rogak. Mr. Rogak has kept this little store’s recipes consistent and straightforward and pure, from the handmade-fluffy marshmallows and sweet-sticky caramel to the hundreds of chocolate items.

Right now they are getting ready for Easter by dipping bright-yellow peeps in milk chocolate, molding hollow eggs in anticipation for the surprises inside and making dozens of different glossy bunnies in white, dark, milk chocolates. Mr. Rogak offers his molded bunnies from the vespa bunny, happy-hour bunny, love bunnies and the classic sitting bunny – all loosely wrapped in plastic and tied with a colorful bow.

Mr. Rogak said people still come for his chocolate even after they move away and his following is apparent when you walk in the shop. Everyone greets him as they enter, from the little old ladies in the neighborhood, families coming by on the weekend, and even a chef from Tavern on the Green.

“People talk about the health benefits of chocolate,” said Mr. Rogak. “I like to talk about the happiness benefit of chocolate.”