St. Croix Chocolate Company, the award-winning artisan chocolate shop in Marine on St. Croix is beginning a new chapter. Founders Robyn Dochterman and Deidre Pope have sold the business to Jason Moldan of Maplewood, who will take over as owner and head chocolatier in September, after a record-breaking year of sales at SCCC.
Photo caption: L to R, SCCC staff and owners: Rachel McLaughlin, Rita Minnichsoffer, Caitlin Nazer, Deidre Pope, Robyn Dochterman, Jason Moldan, behind.
“We had our pick of potential buyers, and we feel very confident Jason will continue St. Croix Chocolate Company’s 15-year legacy of excellence,” said Dochterman. “He has skills. He has vision. He has the right combination of genuine care for people, craft, and energy. In short, he’s a great match for the chocolate shop and our amazing community," she said. ”Moldan brings an unconventional background to the chocolate world.
A retired sergeant major in the U.S. Army Reserve and former technology leader, he first turned to chocolate during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a creative outlet soon turned into a passion. He went on to establish The Minnesota Chocolate Lab, producing small-batch seasonal chocolates and teaching classes at Cooks of Crocus Hill.
“What began as a hobby quickly became an obsession,” Moldan said. “I immersed myself in mastering techniques, sourcing the best ingredients and experimenting with flavors. I’m honored to carry forward the tradition Robyn and Deidre built, while bringing my own creativity to the shop.”
Chocolatier Dochterman, who has managed work-related arthritis and tendonitis in her hands for several years, said the transition comes at the right time. “I was in my mid-forties when we started St. Croix Chocolate Company (2010). It was my second career after journalism and I wish I had that kind of pain-free energy now. It’s time to move on to my next chapter. Chocolate — and particularly the SCCC shop — is where I dreamed big and chased my vision. It’s where I filled my soul with the love of constantly learning and the energy of creativity. And It’s been my stabilizing rudder in tough times. It’s home," she said.
For Pope, who runs the customer and sales side of the business, "it's the relationships I've established that I will miss. I am like a chocolate bartender. I know about every customer's pet loss, cancer diagnoses, weddings, everyone's big life thing," she said.
The next chapter for the duo includes planting and tending a chestnut orchard near their home here in the valley. “Just like what we did in Marine, we’ll plant and tend and see what we can grow,” Dochterman said.
St. Croix Chocolate Company will remain in its current downtown Marine on St. Croix location, continuing to create award-winning artisan chocolates while welcoming Moldan’s fresh vision. Dochterman and Pope have set up a digital memory book so friends and customers can share their memories with them. You can add your well-wishes here >
They will be in the shop with Moldan for meet and greet opportunities Sept. 6 from 12 to 2 pm and Sept. 18 from 11 am to 1 pm.
