SANDPOINT — Just off U.S. 2, next to an empty baseball field, lies an unassuming grey building with a red roof. 

The truth of what lies in that building, as always, is more interesting than it appears at first glance. Inside that modest warehouse is the Sandpoint Chocolate Company and the city’s very own Willy Wonka factory.

"When this building became available, we jumped on it,” Julie Breur, SCC’s owner said. “The machinery makes it look like a small space, but the machinery is amazing... we can do 10,000 small chocolate bars a day.” 

The company opened their retail storefront and factory last year. The switch from a co-packer to their own factory has allowed Breur and her head chocolatier, Tyler Standley, to continue to create new flavors while filling a void in the community. 

"Since the Chocolate Bear burned down, there’s definitely a void for people living in Sandpoint to buy high quality and artesian made chocolate,” Breur said. “We genuinely care about this community and giving back.” 

Taking a step into the retail store of SCC, there’s an unmistakable love for the area and community that goes down to the products they sell. Bars with outlines of Lake Pend Oreille, truffles filled with Evans Brothers Coffee and even a giant fish made of chocolate, ensure that every customer walks away with an item connected to Sandpoint. 

For Breur, these items aren’t for show but instead serve as a love letter to the community that has been home since 2004. 

"I raised my kids here, I’ve been here over 20 years,” Breur said. “They keep coming by and they keep buying chocolate and giving us support, it almost brings a tear to my eye. Like, this is what it’s all about.” 

Standley has only been working at SCC for a year and said that although his stint at SCC started out as just another job, the community has transformed his outlook.  

"What’s really kept me here is the connection that I get to make with people through the chocolate,” Standley said. “It allows me to be involved with people’s lives in an almost intimate way that most people don’t get to and that gives me a lot of fulfillment.” 

The mastermind behind new flavors and nearly every piece of chocolate that bears a SCC label, Standley is always looking for new ways to bring chocolate to the community. Breur said that he’s extremely creative when he comes up with flavor profiles, as well as unique forms, like the giant fish.  

Breur said that all the chocolate that SCC uses is imported from Germany, which has been made tougher by the price of cocoa doubling in the last 18 months and tariffs raising importing costs.  

Despite the challenges, Breur said she remains committed to using the highest quality ingredients in SCC’s product.  

"It wouldn’t coincide with my morals and beliefs if I had to offer chocolate where they are substituting cocoa butter for vegetable oil,” Breur said. “You can taste the difference.” 

The passion that Breur carries for chocolate spans 15 years, back to when she first started making the sweet treat at her home in Hawaii. It is why she continues to push through the difficult times and share the process with Sandpoint. 

"It’s our passion and we have a lot of fun around here,” Breur said. “That’s why we get up every day and deal with the issues of machines breaking, tariffs with chocolate and the trials and tribulations of owning a factory, but we love it.” 

SCC is set to continue its chocolate making classes for those who want a behind-the-scenes look at the process and make their own treats. Breur said that the first class of fall is scheduled for Sept. 19. 

    Outside of the Sandpoint Chocolate Company's retail storefront, just off of U.S. 2.
  

    Sandpoint Chocolate Company's signature local bars featuring Lake Pend Oreille.