Their chocolate boxes are found in stores like Deseret Book, and now, Florence’s Exquisite Chocolates is passing to the next generation.  

Florence Manwaring and her husband, Alan Var, started Rexburg's now-celebrated chocolate shop in 1981. They eventually passed the business on to their son Brian and his wife, Michelle. Now, Brian and Michelle are passing on the family business to their son, Jordan. They said the timing is right.  

“We're worn out and tired," said Michelle. "We were getting ready to sell it, actually, to another couple out of Pocatello, and then our oldest son jumped in and decided that he did not want to have the business go to strangers... and felt really strongly it needed to stay in the family. And so he's changed his whole life and is moving [to Rexburg] and he's jumped in and is learning all the basics.”    

The Manwarings said they will continue to focus on fine chocolates with cream centers, nuts, caramels, and cherry cordials. They also make haystacks and a special item called Princess Michelle. These products, as well as their hard work and local chocolate shop mentality, established them as a beloved business.  

“We actually had a customer that actually had his favorite chocolates buried with him,” they said. “They have a little drawer in the casket, and he put our chocolates in that drawer so when he gets resurrected and the chocolates get resurrected, he’s got his favorite chocolate right there.”  

While their busiest seasons are usually Christmas and Valentine’s Day, they are open all year round from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They do local deliveries and custom orders. Sugar-free is also an option. To visit them or to learn more about them, click here.