Filipino-owned chocolate shop in Castro closes: ‘Maraming salamat po’

(KRON) — A Filipino and queer-owned chocolate shop has closed after five years in San Francisco’s Castro District. Kokak Chocolates, located at 3901 18th St., held its final day of operations on Sunday, April 20, the business announced on social media.

Kokak Chocolates founder Carol Gancia says the decision to close is to “take care of my health.” She thanks all her customers she has had since opening in June of 2020 — some of whom came from Fresno, Sacramento and Los Angeles.

“I’m closing our five-year-old retail chocolate shop to take care of my health. I will be thinking about our next steps in the coming months,” Gancia said in an Instagram post. “I will miss every single one of you. You had a multitude of choices but you picked us. Thank you for choosing Kokak Chocolates! ‘Til we meet again. Maraming salamat po.”

Gancia added that running a business takes its toll but called it an “honor” to serve all those customers.

“Running a retail shop takes a toll,” Gancia said on social media. “It means long hours, a lot of hard production labor, managing employees and late nights testing recipes, checking inventory, purchasing ingredients…”

Although its brick-and-mortar has shut down, Kokak Chocolate is still in business and selling its products online for pick-up, delivery and nationwide shipping.

Orders can be placed on Kokak’s website “until stock is gone.”

“I am also grateful for the opportunity to create unique chocolate treats that bring the Philippine islands to your homes and travels,” the business said in its goodbye post. “We are fortunate to be part of your holidays and special occasions.”

Koka Chocolates was featured in KRON4’s lifestyle show “LIVE! in the Bay” in 2023. Watch the segment in the video player above.