Kate McAleer + Bixby Chocolate

Rockland is home to many unique spots, and Bixby Chocolate (@bixbychocolate) is one you’ll love getting to know. Kate McAleer started Bixby back in 2011 with a simple idea: make chocolate that’s good in every sense of the word. Fast forward to today, and her vision has turned into a bustling bean-to-bar chocolate factory, the first of its kind in Maine, nestled in a historic building by the working marina in Rockland.

Kate, often referred to as “the Alchemist” for her knack for crafting unique chocolate blends, believes in chocolate that tells a story. She’s on a first-name basis with the farmers in places like the Dominican Republic and Haiti, ensuring the cocoa beans are not just top-notch but also ethically sourced. This commitment extends throughout Bixby’s operations, from the bars stamped with her family’s bookplate to collaborations with local businesses like Primo Restaurant, who use Bixby’s bean husks to feed their pigs.

Bixby’s spot in the community is solid, thanks to Kate’s efforts to keep things close to home and heart. Whether it’s hosting workshops in the chocolate factory or being a familiar face at local markets, Bixby is all about bringing people together over great chocolate. You can find their products in stores like Hannaford and Whole Foods or right here in Rockland, where it all started.

Join us in celebrating what Kate and her team have built: a place where every chocolate bar is a piece of Maine, and every bite brings a little more sweetness to the world. Swing by the factory, check out their workshops, or just enjoy a bar of Bixby Chocolate and taste the difference commitment makes.

FAMOUS FOR:
Maine’s only bean-to-bar chocolatier. Their vegan-friendly Matcha bar. Their beer brittle is very up-and-coming.

ADDRESS:
1 Sea St Place in Rockland

HOURS:
Mon through Sat: 11a-5p

photos: Aaron Snow