Part of what makes Lakewood so special is the community — and nothing fosters community quite like chocolate. The annual treat-filled Chocolate Walk is one of the community’s most highly anticipated festivities. It turns downtown Lakewood into a paradise for local business supporters and a chocolate lover’s dream.
The candy extravaganza is held on the fourth Thursday of October every year, hosted by Lakewood Alive and the Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance. This year, the walk took place on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The three-and-a-half-hour event drew about 350 attendees walking the streets of Lakewood and visiting various “Sweet Stops:” 20+ local businesses.
These businesses span from Detroit Avenue to Summit Avenue, beginning at First Federal Lakewood, the event’s main sponsor and the official starting point. Each business featured as a sweet stop offered treats from various chocolatiers. They handed out the treats with smiles, meeting and chatting with all of the chocolate walkers.
Excitement for the fall festivity begins long before any walking takes place. In-person ticket sales for the walk began almost a month prior to the event. On Sept. 27 at 10 a.m., a line stretched outside Geiger’s, testifying to the popularity of the autumn tradition. With only 100 tickets on sale for in-person purchase, there is clear demand.
In addition to in-person sales, 200 tickets were sold online. Fifty lucky attendees secured VIP tickets, which included an exclusive reception before the walk with treats, appetizers, and adult beverages.
For some Lakewood residents, the decadent event has become more than just a casual outing — it’s a true tradition. Shelly Hills, a fourth-year attendee of the Chocolate Walk, described this year’s walk as “a little rainy but wonderful.” While she does mention the less-than-ideal, groggy weather, nothing was stopping chocolate lovers from collecting all the treats. Hills also noted how events such as the Chocolate Walk “build community.” Her words reflect how Lakewood’s community spirit never lets the weather keep people apart.
Throughout the event hours, downtown Lakewood comes alive with people strolling the streets, proudly carrying their Chocolate Walk totes. Lakewood is known for its active community and lively events — no one bats an eye at the chocolate walkers, as events like this are commonplace.
Lakewood Alive has done a wonderful job building the event’s reputation; however, the cocoa-filled walk still attracts new fans each year. Barbara Ogilvie, a first-year attendee, specifically mentioned Sweet Designs, one of the brands featured among the Sweet Stops, saying, “That’s excellent chocolate.” Sweet Designs Chocolate is just one of the several creators included throughout the walk.
The Chocolate Walk was created to showcase small businesses. Lakewood Alive wanted to bring members of the Lakewood community into storefronts they may have never seen before, allowing business owners to make connections and gain exposure.
Jo Higgins, a Lakewood Alive employee, has been running the Chocolate Walk for three years. Her favorite part of the event is “seeing what the Sweet Stops come up with.” She is referring to a shift in recent years away from entirely edible objects featured at the Sweet Stops. She recalls seeing chocolate soaps, lotions, and lip balms. It’s clear Higgins enjoys running the chocolate-filled event and considers it a beloved tradition, saying, “We’re very excited to keep it going for years to come.”
This year’s Chocolate Walk was an excellent experience for chocolate lovers and small business owners alike. As the tradition carries on, the Sweet Stops up their game every year. Lakewood Alive should be proud of the wonderful chocolate experience they manufacture each year!
