Biagio Leaving Biagio

I learned a couple weeks ago that Biagio Abatiello was selling Biagio Fine Chocolate in DC and leaving the fine chocolate retail business. Biagio has been a great friend to Potomac Chocolate and has been instrumental to its early success.

Besides just introducing me to a lot of fantastic chocolate and being the first shop to carry Potomac, he also featured our first bar at his sample day last November, invited us to take part in a Smithsonian Chocolate Symposium and introduced us to several people in the fine chocolate world. He’s also been very open about sharing information about how the business side of chocolate works that has undoubtedly saved me from a lot of rookie mistakes.

I can honestly say that there’s no way Potomac would be as far along as it is without Biagio’s support. I’m going to miss seeing him at the shop and talking chocolate. He’s assured me, however, that he is not leaving chocolate altogether and that he’s become very interested in the cacao production side of the chocolate world. I look forward to seeing where he goes from here and wish him the best of luck!

Of course, I’d like to welcome the new owner, Robert Cabeca. He’s been working with chocolate for over 20 years and used to supply truffles to Biagio, which is how they originally met. He’s been settling in over the past few weeks and and promises to maintain the concept and high standards of the shop. Keeping with tradition, Robert will be hosting his first sample day this Saturday. I’m looking forward to working with him and getting to know him better.

To read the email announcement of the transition, click here.

-Ben