CHATTER
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF GANSETT CRAFT CHOCOLATE.
The 401 BUSINESS
Gansett’ s Golden Ticket
A father-daughter duo turns a love for chocolate into Fa business that would make Willy Wonka proud.
OR FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO Stephen and Ella Schneider, life truly is like a box of chocolates: Neither could have predicted their pandemic hobby would someday yield Gansett Craft Chocolate, an award-winning chocolate-making business on Robinson Street in Wakefield.
Stephen’ s chocolate curiosity first piqued when he sampled products from Askinosie Chocolate, while Ella caught the bug in 2013 during a tour of the Taza chocolate factory in Massachusetts. After five years of sampling cacao beans from across the globe, Stephen purchased a small refiner to craft his own confections while still working full-time as an ob-gyn.
When COVID-19 forced Ella to complete her sophomore year at Narragansett High School from home, she joined in his endeavors. Stephen took their creations to work, and when Ella eventually returned to in-
BY KAITLYN MURRAY
Led by Ella Schneider and her dad, Stephen, Gansett Craft Chocolate has earned fourteen major awards since starting in 2021.
person learning, she shared them with teachers and classmates. Everyone’ s enthusiastic feedback instilled confidence to take the craft more seriously, and they eventually settled on high-quality Peruvian cacao beans for the bars’ base.
They established Gansett Craft Chocolate in 2021, making them the first beans-to-bar chocolate makers in the state.
They turned to Lindsay Fair of WOMA Design to design the sleek packaging highlighting the iconic Narragansett Towers. But to truly build the business, the Schneiders neededto move operations out of the family’ s basement. Fortunately, during Ella’ s senior year, the old Green Line Apothecary on Wakefield’ s Main Street had been revamped into a shared commercial space. They moved in around the same time Ella graduated high school— in 2022.
Then their milk chocolate earned a gold designation from the Northwest Chocolate Festival. Not too shabby for a University of Rhode Island freshman.
“ We were getting busier, and I debated dropping out,” Ella says.“ But my parents wanted me to get a degree, so I met in the middle and went part-time. I’ m still set to graduate on time this spring.”
An impressive feat considering Stephen was( and still is) a full-time doctor with limited time to assist. Yet, the two ramped things up further with farmers market appearances and collaborations with local companies like Seaworthy Coffee Roasters and Newport Sea Salt.
Soon it was time to expand. A professor tipped Ella off about a vacant space on Robinson Street, and a local architect helped transform it into one that suits both the business’ flow of operations and its chic aesthetic. The shop officially opened in December 2024.
Today, visitors can stop by to sample and purchase Gansett Craft Chocolate’ s eight main flavors, spanning milk, dark and white along with unique variations like brown butter sage and lavender. They also release limited batches, like a dark chocolate using Sons of Liberty’ s Battle Cry Whiskey, and seasonal flavors like peppermint crunch. Their homemade European-style hot chocolate is a huge hit among regulars, and Ella promises more treats( think chocolate-covered fruits) are on the way this summer. It’ s not the only thing she’ s looking forward to.
“ Graduating will make my life so much easier!” she says.“ I can just focus on this.” 227 Robinson St., Wakefield, gansett craftchocolate. com 🆁🆁
“ Absolutely love their chocolates and I can’ t thank them enough for keeping their merchandise peanut- and tree-nutfree. So rare for chocolate and from the mother of an allergic anaphylactic child, I can’ t tell you how happy this makes me to have them in our neck of the woods.”
—@ WENDYDARTT VIA INSTAGRAM
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I MAY 2026 25
PHOTOGRAPH: COURTESY OF GATHER.
“ Gansett’ s Golden Ticket,” May
My favorite spot to send chocolate lovers.
@ KRAVEWELLNESS _ CT VIA INSTAGRAM
Tried the cherry truffles and the dark chocolate salted caramels. They were outstanding and craveable.
@ BELLA. CALLI _ MONA2020 VIA INSTAGRAM
“ The‘ Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ Get Real About Season One So Far,” RIMonthly. com, April
I watched for the scenery but that’ s it. Been a lifelong Rhode Islander and I don’ t know anyone who acts like this!
JOHN O’ NEIL VIA FACEBOOK
“ Gather Round,” April
Our Girl Scout troop loved our field trip to Gather Glass! The ice cream demonstration
Ice cream class attendees look next door at the glass blowing studio at Gather Glass in Providence. was awesome! Of course, the best part was sampling the ice cream!
ALISSA TAYLOR VIA FACEBOOK
“ Coyotes and Bobcats and Bears, Oh My!,” April
I love seeing the variety of wildlife in the wooded section of my property using my trail cam. Hoping other Rhode Island landowners will preserve their wild spaces to support these beautiful creatures.
POSTMARKED & TIPSY VIA FACEBOOK
REEL TALK: Social media comments from our adventures in Little Rhody.
Sneak Peek of The Wayland
We stopped in for their opening today. Loved the vibe and the Pear was fabulous. We’ ll be back! Good luck.
@ ITSEFAY VIA INSTAGRAM
Dining at Pomodoro in Bristol
I live down the street. I have invested in stretch pants. Their bolognese sauce is so incredibly excellent.
@ NAOMIBROOKS VIA INSTAGRAM
The best dollar-for-dollar for food, service and value. Got to love a place that has great Italian food.
@ B. PAULIE VIA INSTAGRAM
I didn’ t have to read further, just looked at the dishes. It’ s the best Italian food anywhere. Never dissatisfied and completely awed by the food every time. The family is the best, as is the staff. Hard to get a table at prime time so we go off dinner time, but so worth it!
@ DAC7659 VIA INSTAGRAM
100-Year-Old Viking Hotel Gets a Glow Up
Oh, this is my go-to hotel in Newport! I can’ t wait to see the updates. Truly a Newport institution.
@ TINITRAVELSBLOG VIA INSTAGRAM
Looks so beautiful! The food will be even better with Robert Andreozzi behind the menu! Can’ t wait for this summer!
@ ASDAGATI VIA INSTAGRAM
I stayed here years ago, such a fantastic place. Might be time for a revisit …
@ JAMESMSAMA VIA INSTAGRAM
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16 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I JULY 2026