Rabble-Rouser Chocolate & Craft

Rabble Rouser Chocolate & Craft is a community space, chocolate shop, café, bar, lounge, event, and chocolate manufacturing space. With old silent movies projected on walls, a children’s space, and loungy couches, patrons are encouraged to stay, relax and take their time.  The design of the space encourages this, as well as a spill-over of like-minded activity in downtown Montpelier.  Warm and honest materials were used throughout: local wood, steel, recycled felt.

The renovation: An existing vacant and abandoned blight was re-imagined.  The space was gutted and cleared of pink and purple dressing rooms, a terrifying bathroom, crumbling glass tiles on columns and carpeted floors. Existing beautiful brick walls, steel columns and beams, and original wood floors were repaired and preserved. The exterior was painted a satin black, which enlivened the entire street elevation and helped to remediate the deteriorating and leaking brick. Planters and outdoor seating were added on the streetscape.