Our Story
LI-LAC CHOCOLATES IS MANHATTAN'S OLDEST CHOCOLATE HOUSE.
Founded in 1923, Li-Lac Chocolates is a long-established artisan chocolate company specializing in small batch, hand-made chocolate and gifts with exceptional quality and superior taste. Chocolates are expertly crafted using the founder's original recipes, cooking techniques and quality ingredients. The selection of chocolate (more than 120 items) is one of the largest selections of fresh gourmet chocolate in America. Every delicious item is made by hand, locally in New York City, and guaranteed for freshness.
The history of Li-Lac Chocolates dates back to 1923 when George Demetrious, a native of Greece who studied the art of chocolate making in France, emigrated to New York and opened his shop at 120 Christopher Street in the heart of Greenwich Village. During the 1920s, Greenwich Village was a destination for artists, intellectuals and innovators. It was in this context that Mr. Demetrious applied his chocolate-making expertise, creating and perfecting his recipes for such items as Almond Bark, Butter Crunch, Hazelnut Truffle Squares, Legendary Fudge, and other favorites, steadily building a loyal customer following among his quirky and demanding neighbors. Over the ensuing 9 decades, Li-Lac became a New York favorite. When trendy ingredients and mass production emerged as the model for the modern chocolatier, Li-Lac remained true to its history and tradition, eschewing automation and trendiness. Deemed "stubbornly old fashioned" by the Wall Street Journal, Li-Lac Chocolates is one of the few old-school chocolate companies to survive into the modern era.
Mr. Demetrious used large marble-top tables and copper kettles to perfect his signature recipes. He employed a staff of dippers and packers who contributed their own specialized care and attention to detail still found in every Li-Lac Chocolate box made today. When Demetrious passed away in 1972, he entrusted his recipes and beloved company to Marguerite Watt, his devoted employee of 25 years. Marguerite carried on Demetrious' high standards for chocolate making until she retired, selling the business to Edward Bond in 1978. Butter Crunch "Edward Bond," Marguerite would often say, "is the quintessential Southern gentleman." On many occasions, she told him that she wouldn't sell the company to just anyone: "Whoever comes in here after me, will be seeing to it that quality, caring, and commitment still count." Bond was her man, a Mississippi native, who relocated to New York City, and a regular patron who purchased dessert items from Li-Lac for his catering business. Whenever he visited the store, he allowed other customers to be served first so he could stay behind and visit with Marguerite. During the years, they became good friends and she was convinced that Ed was the individual who best understood the importance of quality and respect for the Li-Lac tradition. Marguerite offered to sell him the business, and it wasn't long after that Bond became the third owner of Li-Lac Chocolates.
While upholding the company's tradition, Ed expanded the business and introduced a few items of his own, including Mr. Bond's Special Pralines. He also acquired a large selection of chocolate molds and designed Li-Lac's first signature floral gift box packaging. Loyal to both Demetrious and Marguerite, Ed kept in his employ all of the devoted staff who had been working at Li-Lac since Mr. Demetrious owned the shop. In 1981, Ed's sister, Martha, joined him in the chocolate-making business. For Martha, "it was love at first sight!". She quickly learned the old master's recipes, perfected his techniques, assisted customers, and helped Ed with day-to-day operations. Together, Martha and Ed developed new recipes - most notably the Specialty Truffles that are still a best-selling item today. Martha's efforts were recognized in 1996, when her recipe won an award for the "Best Raspberry Truffle in the Tri-State Area." With their dual leadership, Li-Lac Chocolates continued to grow but never at the expense of freshness or quality.
After Ed's death in 1990, Martha Bond inherited the stewardship of Li-Lac Chocolates, nurturing the business and maintaining the same single-minded focus on product quality as Demetrious, Marguerite, and Ed. In 1999, she opened a second location in Grand Central Market, bringing Li-Lac Chocolates into the world's busiest train station. When rent became too high in 2005 to continue at the Christopher Street location, she had to make the most heart-wrenching decision in Li-Lac's history. After eight decades, the iconic store was forced to relocate a few blocks north, while the production facility moved to Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The move was difficult for everyone, but especially sad was moving away from P.S. 3 and St. Luke's Parish, who represented three generations of loyal Li-Lac customers. Our hearts continue to be touched by people who tell us of their fond memories of stopping by Li-Lac Chocolates on their way home from school! In 2009, Martha retired to Mississippi to be with her beloved grandchildren. The company was sold to the Merritt family, who had been working for Li-Lac Chocolates and had a passion to continued with the cherished traditions.
In 2011, Anthony Cirone and Chris Taylor purchased Li-Lac Chocolates from the Merritt family, and Anwar Khoder joined them to become the next generation of loyal owners.
Anthony was a resident of the West Village who began shopping at Li-Lac Chocolates when he first moved to New York in the early '90s. At the time, Li-Lac was a small local business with a fierce loyal following. Anthony's vision was to transform the appeal of this hidden gem across the city. He applied his branding and marketing expertise to modernize the look and feel of the brand, while retaining the company's cherished heritage, recipes, and old-world charm. He developed a new line of signature chocolate gift boxes, launched the company's website and e-commerce business, and branched out across the city. In 2014, the company opened a new chocolate factory in Industry City (Brooklyn) where customers could look through oversize windows to see old-world chocolate-making in action. New chocolate shops then opened on Bleecker Street (2015), Chelsea Market (2016), and Hudson Yards (2019). With each new initiative, customers responded favorably and the company began to grow. Over the course of the next decade, Li-Lac's success took off and evolved to become New York's biggest, best, and most-loved chocolate company.
Anwar began working at Li-Lac Chocolates in 1989 and became the company's esteemed Master Chocolatier in 2011. As the focus of the company turned to brand modernization and growth, he led the factory expansion to support the growing business while developing new creative chocolate options designed to appeal to younger consumers. Anwar helped ensure the company's rich heritage and artisan quality never waivered from its original intention.
After long and success careers, Anwar and Anthony both retired in early 2025. Today, Chris leads the company with a new generation management team focused on retaining the same old-world heritage, appeal, and quality that served it well for so many years.
