Whetstone Chocolates

Whetstone Chocolates stands as St. Augustine’s only family-owned chocolate company, carrying nearly six decades of tradition, craftsmanship, and dedication to creating some of the finest artisan chocolates in Florida. Founded in 1967 by Henry and Esther Whetstone, this beloved institution has grown from humble beginnings in a home kitchen to become a St. Augustine landmark featuring multiple retail locations, a modern production facility, and the famous Whetstone Chocolate Tasting Tours that have become one of the city’s most popular attractions. Today, nearly 60 years after that first batch of homemade fudge, Whetstone Chocolates continues the family legacy under the leadership of Virginia Whetstone, daughter of the founders, maintaining the same commitment to quality and community that has defined the company since its inception.

The Whetstone story begins with Henry and Esther, Florida natives and lifelong residents of northeast Florida who dreamed of owning and operating their own business. Starting with a small ice cream store on St. George Street in the historic business district of St. Augustine in 1966, the couple worked tirelessly to build a successful venture. The transition to chocolate began when they created a homemade fudge recipe in their family’s small kitchen, working each night after closing the ice cream shop to perfect their confections. By 1967, they were selling 13 different flavors of fudge along with an increasing assortment of hand-dipped chocolates, and Whetstone Chocolates was officially born.

The small home kitchen served as the original Whetstone Chocolate factory, with Henry and Esther as the entire production crew. Word of mouth spread rapidly as customers discovered the exceptional quality of Whetstone’s chocolates, and demand increased exponentially. By the 1970s, the growing business required more space, leading to the opening of a chocolate production factory at 51 Cordova Street in St. Augustine. The company’s reputation spread beyond regional sales, prompting the opening of more retail stores and the beginning of wholesale operations that brought Whetstone chocolates to customers throughout Florida and beyond.

When Virginia Whetstone graduated from Vanderbilt University, she joined the family business and soon became President of Whetstone Chocolates, bringing fresh vision while honoring the traditions established by her parents. Under Virginia’s leadership, a new 10,000-square-foot factory was constructed in 1984 on Highway 312 south of St. Augustine, providing the space needed for increased production while maintaining the handcrafted quality that defined the Whetstone name. In the early 1990s, Virginia introduced Whetstone Chocolates Tasting Tours, initially leading tours herself before training staff to share the chocolate-making process with visitors. These tours have become a major St. Augustine attraction, educating thousands of guests annually about chocolate’s history, production, and the unique characteristics that define artisan chocolates.

Today, Whetstone Chocolates operates three retail locations in St. Augustine, each offering the full range of chocolates, confections, and gift items. The King Street location at 139-149 King Street (next to the Police Department) serves as the main store and tour departure point, where guests can shop for chocolates and sign up for the famous 45-minute tasting tours. The tour experience begins at this location before guests walk to the nearby production facility where they witness chocolate-making in action, learn about cocoa bean sourcing and processing, and participate in a four-tiered tasting that distinguishes the characteristics of dark, milk, and white chocolate, cocoa nibs, and more.

The St. George Street location at 42 St. George Street (next to the Spanish Bakery) puts Whetstone chocolates in the heart of the tourist district, perfect for visitors exploring St. Augustine’s most famous street. This shop offers the full range of products in a convenient location that makes it easy to grab chocolates as gifts or treats while sightseeing. The third retail location at 13 Anastasia Boulevard serves the beach-going crowd and residents on the eastern side of St. Augustine, ensuring Whetstone chocolates are accessible throughout the city.

The product range at Whetstone Chocolates is extensive and impressive, reflecting decades of recipe development and chocolate-making expertise. Signature items include the solid chocolate alligators and dolphins that have become iconic Florida souvenirs, created with care and detail that makes them as beautiful as they are delicious. Chocolate seashells showcase the connection to St. Augustine’s coastal location, perfect for gifts or personal indulgence. The fudge selection includes numerous flavors, continuing the tradition that started the company in 1967, all made with the original recipes and techniques.

Truffles at Whetstone demonstrate the pinnacle of chocolate-making artistry, with ganache centers enrobed in premium chocolate and finished with decorative touches. The truffle selection includes classic flavors like dark chocolate and milk chocolate alongside more adventurous combinations featuring liqueurs, fruits, nuts, and exotic spices. Boxed gift assortments allow customers to create custom selections or choose from pre-arranged collections perfect for any occasion.

Caramels represent another Whetstone specialty, with buttery, smooth caramel centers covered in milk or dark chocolate. The cordial cherries, featuring whole cherries suspended in sweet liquid within chocolate shells, exemplify traditional candy-making techniques executed with modern quality standards. Chocolate-covered pretzels, graham crackers, and other treats provide options for those seeking the perfect balance of sweet and salty, crunchy and smooth.

Beyond individual chocolates, Whetstone offers dessert toppings including chocolate and caramel sauces perfect for ice cream, cakes, and other desserts at home. Wedding favors can be custom-designed and produced, making Whetstone chocolates part of special celebrations. Gift baskets and holiday-specific items appear seasonally, with Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas bringing specially designed products and packaging.

The tasting tours represent a unique opportunity to see chocolate production in action while learning about the art and science of chocolate-making. The 45-minute experience includes walking to the production facility, observing chocolatiers at work, learning about cocoa bean sourcing from various regions around the world, understanding the roasting and processing techniques that develop chocolate’s flavors, and participating in a guided four-tiered tasting designed to educate the palate. This tasting helps guests distinguish between the subtleties of dark, milk, and white chocolate while learning to identify quality characteristics in artisan chocolates.

Tours accommodate up to 25 people per session, with the last tour each day departing at 3:30 PM. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online through the website or by calling the store directly. The tours have become so popular that they frequently sell out, especially during peak tourist seasons and holiday periods, making advance booking essential for anyone hoping to participate.

The gelato program at the St. George Street location adds another dimension to the Whetstone experience, offering premium Italian-style ice cream in various flavors including chocolate-based options that showcase Whetstone’s expertise. The gelato provides a cool, creamy treat perfect for St. Augustine’s warm climate while maintaining the same commitment to quality ingredients and careful preparation found throughout the Whetstone product line.

Shipping chocolates from Florida presents challenges due to heat, leading Whetstone to restrict shipping to Monday through Wednesday during warmer months to ensure chocolates arrive in perfect condition. This policy demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to quality, refusing to compromise product integrity even if it means limiting sales opportunities. Customers planning to order chocolates for delivery should keep these shipping restrictions in mind and plan accordingly.

The Whetstone family’s dedication to education extends beyond the tours to a broader mission of helping consumers understand chocolate quality, production methods, and the differences between mass-produced and artisan chocolates. Virginia Whetstone has been particularly passionate about this educational component, recognizing that informed customers become devoted customers who appreciate the craftsmanship and care involved in creating exceptional chocolates.

Whetstone Chocolates has become more than just a candy store; it has become an integral part of the St. Augustine experience, a family business that has brought joy to multiple generations of customers while maintaining the values and quality standards established by Henry and Esther nearly 60 years ago. For visitors seeking authentic artisan chocolates, memorable tours, and the perfect gifts or souvenirs, Whetstone Chocolates delivers exceptional experiences that honor tradition while embracing the future of chocolate-making excellence.