Chocolate and Co nominated in Best Coffee Shop competition

Chocolate and Co in Lowther Street has been shortlisted in the top 10 coffee shops in York by readers of The Press in a competition honouring the top businesses in the city.

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Readers can vote for the Best Coffee Shop 2024 by picking up a copy of The Press newspaper until Saturday December 7, with the winner set to be announced in the week commencing December 16.

The Press' Community Content Editor Maxine Gordon sampled Chocolate and Co's offer when it first opened (Image: Newsquest)

Co-founders Linda and Mariah Barrie opened the business in the autumn of 2023, as a charity and social enterprise, designed to offer jobs to ex-offenders and addicts, and followed up a first venture as a mobile van selling hot drinks.

Linda said: “We have come a long way, we’ve seen a really lovely increase in footfall.

“We need to keep going but we are where we need to be at this stage.

“We’ve had some good publicity around the nature of what we are doing, we are part of a community here.”

Chocolate and Co team members Kieron and Lisa with co-founder Mariah Barrie (Image: Supplied) Regular customers Christina Moreton and daughter Louisa spoke to The Press just after the end of the nearby Park Grove Primary Academy school day, where Louisa attends.

Louisa said: “I enjoy everything, my favourite drink is probably one of the milkshakes or the special hot chocolates they make each season.

“They are all really nice here, it’s full marks from me!”

Christina said: “I think it’s a unique place, they do something tangibly different for the area and it’s also such a warm community venue where there’s always a big smile on everybody’s face.”

Louisa and Christina Moreton (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Linda said Chocolate and Co try new things and change the menu twice a year and include daily specials.

The business buys its single-origin Colombian chocolate locally through a family company.

One of the drinks from the menu at Chocolate and Co (Image: Supplied) The co-owner added that the business would like to develop an alcohol-free events programme to add to the daytime opening, which could also include outside lunches too.

Linda said: “The nicest thing about owning a coffee shop is our customers.

“We get so much support and our team are also really phenomenal.

“Every day is an adventure.”

The café’s own milk hot chocolate is the most popular drink followed by their latte.