Downtown Canton's Chocolate Walk Brings All the Sweets This Valentine's Season
On a bright and sunny February afternoon, locals and visitors alike filled the Historic Canton Theatre to check in for the 2024 Chocolate Walk in Downtown Canton. Much like a family-friendly version of a pub crawl, the 2024 Chocolate Walk featured thirty stops throughout Downtown Canton, each serving its own spin on a sweet treat.
![Chocolate Walk in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1f88802c94e6c8728a26877f79918605 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7632b06f4dec86d61dffefa055a0d717 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6c814d364b59fdba316ab30c9f398832 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6629d010e8f1266d8b4751b11e91a2a8 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4cde7720cb5b055f7bb7dff960e838cd 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=3d17685f213dfd08d781309efa6cfb76 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9c2dc047f4baeea97cb104a078d730d8 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC09292.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=4b9faf6cfcbd69b00d5beed5cd6f788b 2048w)
The colorful display at the Historic Canton Theatre was accompanied by warm, inviting faces at the check-in counter, along with a photo-op and treats from local chocolatier Benita “Chef Bee” Goodall, owner of Chateau Bee Green at Shugah Bee Cottage. She offered a selection of chocolates for guests, including caramel, toffee, and strawberry-flavored treats perfect for tasting freshly made chocolate.
The historic venue has welcomed visitors since 1911 when the theatre showed silent films to its audiences. “Our theatre has undergone many changes, different names—like ‘The Bonita’ and ‘The Haven’—and even a complete restoration in the 2000s. In the 1940s and 1950s, the building was named the Historic Canton Theatre, and it’s been that way ever since,” says Kristin Norton Green, Historic Canton Theatre’s Theatre Events and Facilities Director.
![Chocolate Walk in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=729ae02dde3718b1cd8fe0c669053c55 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=78f854946853d283174f88f480c7d246 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d36754a45a78760d890f9b059776c6d3 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e507b8fbda373028d3e1f73f647acad0 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=72478ed7b7ab1b6c63d19b76abd1f282 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5b5bd8b94868a93d510316ab4f757691 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=859944cc796e47dcaa84a05bc544e39e 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=d4e484e6a70669412ee19f429dff449e 2048w)
SERVING UP LOCALLY MADE GOODNESS
Spearheaded by the Canton Main Street Program, the 2024 Chocolate Walk had a lot of success and a positive outcome for locally-owned businesses. Sales for the businesses went up by an estimated 60 percent, bringing in a variety of attendees from Canton and surrounding communities, including Woodstock, Ball Ground, Blue Ridge, and Jasper. This allowed attendees, from near and far, to explore what makes Downtown Canton so great.
“It was a sold-out with over 300 attendees of all ages, who all loved the trick-or-treating type feel,” says Downtown Development Manager Velinda Hardy.
“Each restaurant had a different chocolate treat. There were specialty chocolate drinks offered at many of the restaurants as well. Restaurants were open that day for lunch so that attendees could enjoy the Downtown Canton area, its shops, and restaurants,” she continues. “Choate BBQ even offered a tasty chocolate-covered bacon snack and kept their restaurant open that Saturday—which is not [usually] open that day. Many attendees who had not visited Choate BBQ before wanted to return.” Each attendee’s ticket included a 10 percent off Choate BBQ coupon so guests could return to the barbecue restaurant for more.
![](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b6890487a0c47a2bb29ba462b1e9cc32 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=67703c22d700362d923eb3d0eb8fbe17 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e61aaf80282a4f45626e21f5e6add4f6 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1e28b95d1b984e3540fe74c9f0e3a817 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5589cb4c46bc90c8af8fe96e6bb8e263 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1977bc12f5d2bdd967c810443a67b76f 1269w)
CHOCOLATE-INSPIRED CREATIONS
Andy Palermo, co-owner of P.O.P.S. (Palermo’s Original Pasta & Sandwiches), a family-owned restaurant offering tasty Italian-American cuisine in the newly-renovated historic Jones Building, is grateful for the 2024 Chocolate Walk and for the chance to share P.O.P.S.’s signature cocktail that day—the Cab Driver—a frozen coffee drink featuring espresso and chocolate liqueur.
“We opened a month ago, and this was our first experience with a Downtown Canton event. We were open for lunch that day, and it brought a ton of folks to P.O.P.S. and Downtown Canton. We were running around like crazy— we were so busy,” he shares with a laugh.
![POPS in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2dd6e6a6f4f454f442d8817ca50dad63 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fb4eb2e8b3507398fdf60377fab5a4bd 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=34f9083991a375fb56640e1c0fda3129 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=eb2d1cfe1a51a7612c067fd9fcedc675 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=52c007e27a12ee8bcaf7f84776fe4d1c 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=84d4763ebf08d5b8cc1ef3401871b3b3 1269w)
“We knew we’d expect a higher volume but didn’t know what to expect. The turnout was a great way to showcase who we are as a restaurant and what we are all about. We should be so lucky to be blessed with good weather like that every February for the Chocolate Walk,” Andy says. “And it didn’t hurt that registration was right across the street from us at the Historic Canton Theatre. That was great exposure for our restaurant.”
Also sharing a fun, chocolate-inspired creation was The Holler, a popular bar and restaurant on West Main Street owned by Gordy Faulmann and Jeff Hagadone. The Holler’s chocolate stout is great for those over 21 who want to feel nostalgic about a family-friendly treat, and for anyone needing a refreshing adult beverage.
![](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=905627043b6730bde0503f4e2b26099d 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4717c1c31cde480a600cc0acc537dce8 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f449073711ce411ea48a05ccc058a040 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=16ae8ebeb3a998e1e2121300eb6fafa5 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5877c5b8370b5d6b10b31e8cc971c811 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=38b13b18fffb287b717ecbe03af6bed4 1269w)
SHARING HERITAGE THROUGH CHOCOLATE
Ellie Hetrick is the proud owner of one of Downtown Canton’s hottest new hair salons, The Golden Swan Salon. This booth-renting salon allows Ellie to rent booths to local stylists, encouraging business growth in the Canton community.
“I named this salon after my grandmother’s book called The Golden Swan. It’s featured in our salon and can be found around our building,” she smiles. “I’ve also carried family traditions through our salon’s name and our featured chocolate: kladdkaka, a Swedish treat. My family is Scandinavian, but my husband’s grandmother is Swedish, so we’ve tried to uphold her traditions through the holidays. I’ve always done things according to that culture because of her. I looked up a chocolate Swedish tradition, baked it in advance, loved it, and decided to share it with our visitors for the Chocolate Walk.” A kladdkaka is a Swedish sticky chocolate cake known for its crisp outside layers and delightfully gooey chocolate filling.
Ellie was grateful for the positive outcome of the Downtown Canton event. “It was amazing to be a part of our first community event—a family-friendly event—and it was wonderful to see people of all ages gather together through food,” she said. “We had many children walk in, and some even brought their friends.”
![Chocolate Walk in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ee49d2f0dac2ae2c4b3a93157b23048e 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ede5fd0e533e1e75f7582817b937080a 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d51af86bc0c3d39ffb7fef0a9ea4f930 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=69da08e497139e68c393d3f20bf69710 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4a58011055e3b1c468742385c85305f7 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5c17d57dad603015d7f7c0c88de43a9a 1269w)
CHOCOLATEY FUN AT THE MILL ON ETOWAH
In addition to exploring the shops of Downtown Canton’s Main Street and North Street, attendees flocked to The Mill on Etowah for even more shopping, treats, and beautiful scenery.
Perfect for folks with a sweet tooth, the Cotton Mill Exchange featured fresh chocolate-dipped cookies from Alpine Bakery for the shop’s tasty dessert. Husband-and-wife team Steve and Lori Sinatra are the proud co-owners of the Cotton Mill Exchange, known for its Southern flair, clothes, jewelry, and vintage decor. “We had a lot of people come into our shop for the Chocolate Walk. It really benefited our store and our sales,” Lori says.
Sweety’s Café and Ice Cream, known for its sweet ice cream, cakes, tea parties, and chicken salad varieties, offered a chocolate-rum cake for the café’s Chocolate Walk treat. “It was a good day! We had a lot of people that came in that hadn’t visited with us before,” Cheryl Lott, co-owner of Sweety’s, says with a bright smile. “Some visited from Woodstock, and we had a few people visit from out of town, too. We hope to see some new faces next time and encourage visitors to continue visiting The Mill on Etowah.”
Cheryl also shares that many visitors were surprised to learn that the café’s menu includes chicken salads. “Our original chicken salads and ice cream are prepared fresh each week with organic and healthy ingredients,” Cheryl says
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY
Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, attendees sampled treats from the various chocolate stops and spent time together as a community. As the sun beamed on Canton, so did many of the cheerful attendees.Madison Maker, Cherokee County resident and Chocolate Walk attendee, shares her appreciation for the local event: “This event has been awesome! I’ve loved seeing how each restaurant did their own take on a chocolate treat—-how each one was so unique,” Madison says. “I feel like I’ve been able to discover a lot more Cherokee-owned restaurants than I have in the past. This is a great way to learn more about our beautiful town and connect with the local community.”
![Chocolate Walk in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=788a671515630c77906cab168ab45e30 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7a86aef90d1b281c6eee0056d93a7532 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=24b3bf3106c9d102dffa9b301302e6b6 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=cbb1d6695f67c243971cd489c233f95b 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=fd45aebdaaf86856c2464935a349d407 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Enjoy-Cherokee-Magazine-_-Digital-Issue_A_Hayman-1-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b4254566b69d58b43b87a7f155ad1988 1269w)
This article was written by Abigail Hayman and was featured on Enjoy Cherokee. Read more here.