ALL THINGS CHOCOLATE Constant Cravings Chocolate Festival holds memorable chocolate experiences

Bas Tiaan handles the daily operations of Constant Cravings at Backyard Markets, 522 Market Street in Mount Carmel.

All things chocolate at Constant Cravings

ABOVE: If you can’t settle on one specific chocolate confection, varietytrays of treats are available .

BELOW: Constant Cravings at Backyard Markets offers candy by the bulk, small selections or custom Valentine trays, according to owner Constance Folsom.

WRITER + PHOTOS: ANDREA HOWE

Remember your first box of Valentine sweets?

I do. I saved the box for some time. What was in it, I couldn’t tell you. It was the thought that counted.

But let me tell you, there’s some memorable chocolate experiences to be had during Constant Cravings Chocolate Festival, Feb. 1-14. The candy shop, located in Backyard Markets at 522 North Market Street in Mount Carmel, might make your head spin with all the offerings.

“The chocolate will flow,” laughed owner Constance Folsom, as she detailed her plan for the store’s anniversar y. Every day you can drink hot chocolate, try chocolate dips, chocolate soaps — all things chocolate.

It’s a sugar (and sugar-free) sweets emporium, gearing up for Valentine candy pre-orders ( ranging from $5 kids Valentine candy and balloons special delivered free to Mount Carmel schools or $5 cash and carry from the store, or custom trays or heart boxes of your choice of candy) from a selection that probably can’t be matched outside a big city.

Folsom and Constant Cravings staff make the pilgrimage to Chicago for a candy show where they taste-test and make their picks of the creations from 800 vendors from across the world to bring to the local store.

There’s loaf fudge in 15 flavors, artisan hand-crafted truffles, Turtles, hand-dipped chocolate pretzels, cookies, fresh-roasted nuts, gourmet cof fee, hard-to-find vintage candy and gum, sour candy, gummy candy, a complete Jelly Belly selection. The varieties go on and on, all displayed in vintage candy store cases that Folsom said bring back childhood memories to many of her customers.

The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To order, stop in the store or phone (618) 263- 7750.

West Salem Rural Health Clinic is ready to serve you.

Your health is our focus.

That’s why the West Salem Rural Health Clinic is proud to provide world-class family medicine. And as a Carle affiliate, we can connect you with additional specialty care as well. Our local clinic has three providers ready to serve your healthcare needs:

H. Timothy Garrett, DO Gail Greathouse, APN Brandi Alvord, FNP-C

Please call for more information or to schedule an appointment.

100 South Main Street, West Salem, IL 62476 (618) 456-3727