Royal Oak Confectionery Gayle’s Chocolates Departs in May

Confectionery Gayle’s Chocolates is preparing to bid farewell to Royal Oak in May after 34 years spinning truffles at 417 S. Washington Ave.

The shop is expected to close its doors over Mother’s Day weekend on Sunday, May 13, according to a release. Proprietor Gayle Harte intends to relocate the business to a retail shop in Cottonwood, Arizona, and will continue accepting online orders.

Harte began her chocolate truffle business out of her home in Huntington Woods in 1979 before moving into the current two-story space in Royal Oak in 1984. There she grew the company into a powerhouse of sweets, shipping handmade chocolates nationwide and branching out to include everything from 7.5-pound “stuffed” chocolate turkeys to chocolate $100 bills to chocolate high heels. Harte’s sweets have appeared in Neiman Marcus catalogues and in the Empire State Building gift shop.

The shop claims to be the first to have served espresso in Royal Oak serving lattes as well as its signature truffle-infused Haute Chocolate. The espresso bar portion of the shop recently ceased operations.

“I’ve been in Royal Oak for a long, long time. This is home. But, it’s time for me to start a new chapter in my life,” Harte says in a statement. “Looking back, these 34 years have flown by so fast because I truly love what I do. I’m incredibly thankful to all of the employees and customers who have come through our doors.”

Gayle’s will be offering a free box of her original 4-piece truffles with every Easter order of $50 or more now through Sunday, April 1. Additionally the first 100 customers to stop by the shop on Harte’s birthday on Saturday, April 21, will also receive a free box of truffles.

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