Fred Reed, Dana Krause and Nettie Reed, from left, make the drive from Ooltewah, Tenn., to Chocolate Therapy Café in Chickamauga. "I came in once with my husband, loved it, and wanted to bring my parents," said Krause.
Photo by Timara FrassrandA customer walks out of Chocolate Therapy Café in Chickamauga, and shouts, "Thanks for being here." Owner Sandi Townley says she gets that a lot.
Townley brought her dream to life in October 2010 when she opened Chocolate Therapy Café. She combined two things close to her heart, chocolate and therapy, for the name of her café.
"The idea had been in my head for about 20 years," Townley said. "I wanted to create a place where people never felt rushed and could enjoy a light meal, dessert and be able to sit and relax for a couple hours."
Townley was the assistant vice president for counseling and academic support for Chattanooga State. She bought the 1889 historic building which now houses her café, which was originally the First General Store in Chickamauga, and with the help of family and friends remodeled and renovated it.
"As a small town we want people to come because there's something special; where they have options to sit by the fireplace, out on the patio, or let their children play in the kids corner," Townley said.
Chocolate Therapy Café was the 2012 winner for Best of the Best - North Georgia Desserts sponsored by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
"We have the best customers in the world. If there was a category for customers in Best of the Best, they would win," Townley said.
Chocolate Therapy Café was also nominated by its customers and won the Creative Discovery Museum Cobbler tasting for its chocolate cobbler.
The chocolate cobbler is one of the customers' favorites, Townley said. Chocolate Therapy Café is currently working on creating a packaged mix so people can make it at home.
The café utilizes local merchants by offering Chattz Coffee, bread from Bluff View Bakery and bison from Eagles Rest Ranch. The exposed brick walls and shelves are decorated with art from local artists and everything is for sale, Townley said.
Chocolate Therapy Café also participates in local events, such as the upcoming Girls Night Out - Chickamauga Style, on Thursday March 15, when it will be open late until 8 p.m. Customers that evening can receive a free mini cobbler with a sampler plate purchase.
Satisfy your sweet tooth
The café is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Call 706-375-1889 or email chocolatetherapycafe@gmail.com for more information. Follow Chocolate Therapy Café on Facebook and Twitter to stay abreast of events and specials; joining the email list will net a 10-percent-off coupon for your next visit.
Sweet touch: "Customers call us the day before they come in requesting anything from coconut cake to Southern pecan praline brownie and we will customize and make it for them because we appreciate them," Townley said.