Jinji Fraser’s chocolate shop is full of stories told through the chocolates on display, a cup of drinking chocolate, and the objects that adorn the walls. 

She started the business in 2012 with her father, Guy Fraser. Since then, with other collaborators, she has built a company focused on cacao, storytelling, and community.

On November 3, Baltimore Beat visited Jinji Chocolate on Greenmount. The new location in Waverly is bright and flooded with light. Fraser hopes the space will become a beacon for folks in the neighborhood that they can return year after year, holiday after holiday, for generations to come. 

“I want people to feel like it’s a home space for them and be proud of it. I want people to have their families come this holiday season and be like, “I can’t wait to show you this chocolate shop that moved in,” she said.  

The shop is a feast for the eyes, from the handwritten cards in elegant script describing the ingredients to the delicately wrapped bars of hibiscus white chocolate. There is even a drinking bar where you can enjoy a decadent cup of hot drinking chocolate. 

All of the chocolates are dairy- and gluten-free, allowing you to fully relish the flavor of the cacao, which is harvested by hand. 

The best way to support Jinji Chocolate is to visit the new shop. “We have so many new things here,” said Fraser, “and I really do think that what we’re doing is so unique for the city of Baltimore that I’m so excited to share it with people.” (Teri Henderson)

On December 1, Jinji Chocolate will serve hot chocolate at the Waverly Commons Christmas Tree Lighting. On December 15, they will host a mole night with a pop-up visit from Neopol Savory Smokery. 

The post Photostory: Jinji Chocolate appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Darryl Collins reevaluated his relationship with alcohol when he stopped and counted how many drinks he’d had in a week: 20. He switched to non-alcoholic beers during the week and only drank alcohol on the weekends.

Although he’d initially only planned to open a cat cafe when he moved here from D.C. in 2021 (Flattery Cattery will open in Federal Hill early next year), he pivoted and instead opened a place where people could buy non-alcoholic drinks. 

Hopscotch opened in Fells Point in August. The shop offers non-alcoholic and zero-proof beer, wine, and spirits. ‘Non-alcoholic’ means they contain less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume, while ‘zero proof’ means they contain no alcohol at all. He also sells zero-proof bitters and garnishes. Every bottle on display is selected and curated by Collins with intention and care.

Collins has designed the space to be jovial and welcoming, and this extends from the bright colors on the wall to the name of the space, which also recognizes sobriety as a journey. “Some people have one foot in. Those are people who are sober-curious, who might drink alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages,” he told Baltimore Beat. “Then you have other people who have two feet in — those are sober-serious, who don’t drink any alcohol at all. But, at the end of the day, it’s about maintaining your balance and having fun, however that looks to you.” 

The shop currently offers in-store tastings and browsing, and in January it will begin shipping online orders. Collins also plans to open a non-alcoholic speakeasy, also in Federal Hill, next year. 

“We’re not here to judge anyone,” he says, “We’re not here to ask your reason for not drinking. We’re just here to provide an option for those who are not looking to drink alcohol at the moment.” (Teri Henderson)

Hopscotch is located at 520 South Caroline Street, Suite 101. Find them online at hopscotchbottleshop.com. 

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