I stopped by a cozy Bellingham chocolate shop. Here’s what I got for $25
Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrating all things love — and I love chocolate.
Bellingham Herald reader Kendall Mancini suggested I check out Sweet Art in downtown Bellingham as part of The Bellingham Herald’s On a Budget series, which focuses on affordable fun and cheap eats in Whatcom County.
Although I had been aware of Sweet Art since moving to the city, this was my first time inside.
Here’s what I got of a $25 budget:
What is Sweet Art in downtown Bellingham?
Sweet Art, 1335 Railroad Ave in Bellingham, is a cute, cozy chocolate shop that doubles as an art gallery.
Jerry and Vivian Hruska opened Sweet Art in 1998 after moving to Bellingham from Laguna Beach, California, Bellingham Alive previously reported.
Jerry Hruska learned the art of crafting chocolate from an elderly woman he affectionately called “Grandma,” then bought her business from her for a dollar, according to Patrick Macfarlane, the current owner of Sweet Art.
The Hruskas worked at Sweet Art until 2025, when they passed it on to Macfarlane. A former employee, he considers the Hruskas close friends.
Macfarlane said the store has a “mom-and-pop, old-fashioned chocolate shop feel.”
All chocolate sold by Sweet Art is made in the back of the store, and customers are able to see the process from start to finish, he told The Bellingham Herald.
The Bellingham chocolate shop enjoys an average rating of 4.8 stars on popular review site Yelp.
“Wow. This place is amazing,” Yelp user Sage M. of Bellingham wrote in a five-star review. “Not only are the chocolates absolutely delicious, (but) the staff is (also) so friendly, helpful and kind.”
“If you’re looking for homemade chocolates to give to someone you love, this place is worth every penny,” the Yelp reviewer wrote.
What I got at local chocolate shop on a $25 budget
I walked into Sweet Art on a recent weekday afternoon with $25 and a mission.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I decided to buy some sweet treats for the people I love, and asked them for suggestions.
My shopping list included dark chocolate candies with spicy, coffee and mint flavor profiles, as well as something with peanut butter. The mint dark chocolate was a weird request in my opinion, but I went with it anyway.
I was also seeking a caramel chocolate for myself.
After looking at the chocolate options at Sweet Art, I ended up walking away with nine different chocolates, which was more than I was expecting.
I was able to fulfill all of my requests and get some things for myself while sticking to my $25 budget.
In addition to two caramels covered with dark chocolate, I bought a peppermint patty, a spiced dark chocolate candy, a dark chocolate peanut butter truffle and a hunk of chocolate-covered peanut brittle.
I also walked away with a few truffles in coffee, dark chocolate and peanut butter caramel flavors.
One of my tastiest purchases was a dark chocolate turtle candy with caramel, pecans and pretzels.
How affordable is Sweet Art in Bellingham?
I spent a total of $27 at Sweet Art, including tax.
I was quite happy with my purchase. The staff was warm, kind and helped me pick out various chocolates, and the small store felt cozy.
Prices for Sweet Art’s offerings are determined by weight, with fudge costing $25 per pound and truffles, turtles, brittle and other treats costing $39 per pound.
That makes Sweet Art a somewhat affordable option for artisan chocolates, as long as you pay attention to the scale.
The artworks that decorate Sweet Art’s walls are also for sale and range in price from $100 to $190.
Where should I go next On A Budget?
Have any ideas on where I should visit in Whatcom County on a budget?
Send me recommendations by emailing jhawkins@bellinghamherald.com or by filling out the form below.