Knoops, a European chocolate drink shop, held the grand opening of its first United States location on Friday, Aug. 21. The shop, located on Ninth and Ninth in Salt Lake City, features a variety of gourmet chocolate drinks such as expertly crafted hot chocolates, iced chocolates, milkshakes and more.
Founded in 2013, Knoops became an instant hit. “I opened the first store in April, 2013 in the UK, the south coast of England, and it was a small little shed, and it’s a really beautiful, picturesque, little town,” said founder and owner Jens Knoop. “A lot of people just loved a lot of chocolate, and from there on, we built. And now we’re here in Utah.”
Knoop started the business out of a love for chocolate and thrived because of his business expertise. “I always loved chocolate, grandmother always treated and rewarded me with chocolate. I worked a little bit in consumer research, so I understood a little bit of what consumers want, what they enjoy. And then I thought, okay, this is a great opportunity to put what I like and what I know together and just create something completely new,” Knoop said.
Something for everyone
Knoop’s is a standout shop because of the variety of options they offer. Its menu features a percentage system, ranging from 28% creamy white chocolate to 100% extra dark chocolate. This allows the customer to choose a drink that best fits them.
“I love all the different chocolate profiles and percentages. So there’s something for, like, everybody. And all of their drinks are amazing. I’ve had the hot chocolate, the iced chocolate. Their milkshakes are incredible. So it’s a good find for anyone,” said Makenna Martin, a longtime fan of Knoops…