MANILA — Chocolate Lover Inc., a well-known baking supply store in Cubao with a castle-like structure, is closing this December after nearly forty years of operation.
On Tuesday, November 18, its owner, entrepreneur Annie Carmona-Lim, revealed the sad news via a social media post.
Known as “Chocolate Queen,” Lim made the announcement that the store would close after Christmas while doing her best to keep her emotions in check.
“Gusto ko lang pong ipaalam sa inyo na magsasarado na po kami. December 27, 2025 po ‘yung last day namin. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin naman ang pagbebenta namin hanggang sa mga araw na ‘yon at saka ‘yung mga fast-moving (items) — mga chocolates, buttercream, walnuts — mayroon pa rin po kami. Talagang hindi namin pababayaan ‘yung mga customers namin na kung kailan nila kailangan ngayong Pasko ay bibitawan namin, hindi po. ‘Yung dedication ng Chocolate Lover sa mga nagbi-business ay ganoon pa rin po ‘yung support namin. Mahigit isang buwan na lang po ‘yon, kaya gusto ko pong batiin din kayo ng Merry Christmas,” expressed her appreciation to everyone their suppliers, students, and Customers.
“Eto na, goodbye na after 36 years, goodbye na tayo,” she added.
Lim clarified that since her children are now living overseas, they no longer wish to inherit the company, which is why Chocolate Lover will soon close.
“Ang dahilan po kasi ay ayaw na rin po kasing manahin ng mga anak ko. Okay na po kami sa ibang bansa. Ako naman po ay mag-aalaga na lang po ng apo, kasi matanda na rin po ako. Hirap na rin po ako magbiyahe-biyahe,” Lim adds.
She said that although they are selling the home, no purchasers have shown interest, so they want to rent it out in for a while.
“Alam niyo po naman na ibinibenta ko itong castle pero wala pa rin namang buyer kaya balak sana namin habang walang buyer ay paupahan. Pero siyempre mag-check pa rin po kayo sa Facebook kung ano na ang development kung gusto niyo ring maki-tsismis sa amin,” she continued.
As she acknowledged that it was difficult for her to say goodbye because Chocolate Lover is her baby, she concluded her post by thanking everyone.
“Tatlong taon ko na pong iniiyakan ito. Kasi hindi ko kaya talaga baby ko kasi ito. Pero kailangan ko na pong magsabi ng goodbye. Marami pong salamat.,” Lim said.
With P6,000, Lim opened her baking materials store in 1989 following her cancer recovery.
Lim chose to construct the store at P with a castle-like front since it was like something out of a fairy tale. Cubao is Tuazon. For everyone who enjoys baking, the castle is an inspiration.
