Knoke’s business manager Susan Tierney said the inside of the St. Anthony Park shop will be similar to the Hudson shop, shown here.
Area residents with a sweet tooth rejoice: Hudson, Wis., confectioner Knoke’s Chocolate & Nuts has leased a 1,000-foot retail space in Ned Wesenberg’s Park 24 apartment complex at 2301 Como Ave. and plans to open Sept. 1.
The 16-year-old company specializes in handmade chocolates, roasted nuts and baked goods and also sells bulk, wrapped and nostalgic candies and ice cream. Knoke’s has a storefront in downtown Hudson and a production facility there.
The store moving into the building now under construction at 2301 Como Ave. will include 24 flavors of ice cream.
Owner Dave Knoke had looked at opening a store in St. Anthony Park five years ago, said business manager Susan Tierney, “but we weren’t quite ready. Now, “it feels right,” she said.
The St. Anthony Park community is similar to Hudson, Tierney said. “It feels like a close-knit community. We’ve spent enough time in the neighborhood and think it’s a perfect fit.”
The Hudson store sells a variety of baked goods, including homemade pies. “We will have some baked things in the [St. Antony Park] store,” Tierney said, “but pies will be special orders.” The store will have brownies, bars and cookies on hand.
Initially, Knoke’s plans to be open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday, noon-8 p.m. “This is how we’ll start, and then see what happens,” Tierney said.
The store will be hiring. To find out more, email info@knokesmail.com or call 715-381-9866.
Park 24 will have two retail spaces when the building is completed, according to Wesenberg. A 1,300-square-foot space is still available to lease. —Kristal Leebrick
