We sat down with Patagonia Chocolates founders, Alex and Lorena, to reflect on their journey over the last 20 years, and find out how they’ve gone from having a tiny chocolate shop into an iconic business.
20 years! That’s an incredible achievement. How does it feel to reach this milestone?
A: It’s a mix of gratitude, pride, and wonder. When we started in 2005, the goal was simple: to create a space where people could experience joy through exceptional chocolate, ice cream, desserts, and coffee. Twenty years later, we’re still here evolving and learning. That’s deeply humbling.
In the early days, when I couldn’t yet speak English, offering a taste of home became my way of communicating. Sharing our homeland’s flavours with new friends sparked joy and their smiles inspired everything that followed. What we dreamt of was to create more than a product, it was a flavour experience without borders. One that transcends geography, race, language, and culture. Because at its heart, there’s something truly magical about sharing something handmade, honest, and deeply personal.
What do you think has been the secret to your longevity in such a competitive industry?
A: There’s no secret formula, but I’d say it comes down to courage, hard work, and staying true to our founding principles. We never chased trends; we focused on quality, creativity, location and putting people first. Investing in skilled hands, local relationships, and consistency over time has made all the difference.
How has the brand evolved over the last two decades?
L: We’ve grown thoughtfully and organically. What began as a single chocolate concept gradually expanded, into handcrafted ice creams, a full dessert house, and an immersive coffee experience. Every step of that journey has been guided by a mix of intuition and listening closely to our customers. Today, we’re more than just a shop, we’re a place where people come to slow down, connect, and create memories.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
L: We’ve faced our share of challenges, from tough economic cycles to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions. These moments have demanded rapid adaptation and clear direction, not just in strategy, but in how we lead our team and keep everyone engaged.
Through it all, we’ve stayed independent and deeply rooted in our community. Staying true to our values while evolving with the times hasn’t always been easy, but it’s what’s kept us strong. The real test has always been: Can we adapt without losing who we are? I believe we’ve done that and we’ve done it with integrity.
What’s stayed the same since day one?
A: Our passion, commitment to craftsmanship and connection. Whether it’s the way we roast our coffee, temper chocolate, or scoop a cone, there’s a rhythm and care to what we do. Our workplace culture reflects that. We believe that if the inside is healthy, the outside will show it.
Why do you think people keep coming back year after year?
L: I’d like to think it’s the soul in what we do. The flavours, yes, but also the feeling and experience. People know it’s real. We don’t cut corners. We care about where things come from and who makes them. And where we can, we invite our customers to see this first hand, like seeing chocolates being made in front of their eyes, or smelling their coffee beans roasting. And I think that honesty is felt in every spoonful, every sip, every bite.
What does “aging gracefully” mean to you as a business?
A: It means embracing change with purpose, not panic. It’s about staying mindful, refining rather than reinventing. We’ve grown slowly but deliberately. We've aged in a way that honours our story, our values, and the people who’ve walked with us, the team, customers, suppliers. Everyone matters.
What role has the local community played in your journey?
L: Everything. From day one, locals showed up and they kept showing up. They’ve been our foundation. Their support gave us the confidence to expand, experiment, and dream bigger. This 20th birthday belongs to them as much as to us.
What are you most proud of after 20 years?
A: That we’ve created something lasting; not just a product, but a place and a feeling. That people say, “I came here as a kid and now I bring my own children.” That continuity means more to us than any award.
What does the next 20 years look like for Patagonia Chocolates?
A: We’re working on some very exciting things. In 2024, our sister company acquired an Orchard in Clyde. This will mean that alongside centralising a lot of our production, we’ll also be able to sustainably produce even more of our own ingredients, in the area that we now call home.
Once built, our ‘Casa Patagonia’ will become a showcase of our region, celebrating the unique culture, ingredients and natural beauty of our surroundings. We plan to create an open environment where visitors can view our kitchens and manufacturing rooms, giving a behind-the-scenes look at our artisanal processes.
We’ve also got big plans to make Patagonia Chocolates carbon neutral by the end of 2030, something that we are incredibly passionate about.
But mostly, we’ll continue doing what we do best: creating and sharing joy, one bite, sip or lick, at a time.
Photo credit: Rachel McKenna
