Around the time that the millennium turned, a local candy and chocolate, nut and ice cream and more store opted to open, at that peak moment, and quickly become iconic in downtown Hudson — historic its such streetscapes and landmarks itself — with their hundreds of item options.
You can trust Knoke’s many trophy truffles, reviewers say, and maybe purchase with a glint in your eye some jolly “ginger” varieties. And you can even get gourmet popcorn, gelato and sorbet and more.
— Also see the two posts below this one for other within-miles-or-mere-minutes ideas on delicious ways to locally dine.
Or just read on for the rest of this post, to get the rest of the story on great chocolates, ice cream and nuts from Hudson. —
Place an order, sweet, to take delivery of these or other goodies via Doordash, or do take-out, or if you wish to dine in at Knoke’s, there are two tables positioned by the large front windows, making up the entire front facade of the building and showing the historic layered and tiered streetscape. Across the way by the door, you can see a multi-colored and pink painting of an ice cream cone as tall as a person.
Large plastic and mouthed jars, some round and some rising higher, are setting on the numerous shelves and counters placed in the midst of a huge room and they number in the hundreds, filled with candy of all colors, sizes and shapes, and various nuts.
The longtime spacious store at first sported a great brick, vintage storefront, and now it has a more modern construction and contemporary look on Locust Street. The appearences of the food and home guru Martha Stewart, multiple times, and other such lumenaries, have been well documented, both locally and regionally. With multiple photos taken and reams of copy written and published.
By the percentages, when quantifying their raspberry truffles and such candies, the individual flavorings are arranged with more than just dividing the ingredients into mere thirds, rather being much more specific in their numberings that total one hundred. There is honey-ginger, for example, and 23 other truffles, as well as more treats regularly added. Their handcrafted truffles are made fresh weekly, at their special production facility, with flavors from old favorites to the newest creations!
Many delicious creams, caramels, nuts and mints make up their other assorted chocolate offerings, they say. Thirty-two or more of them, adding for example, more than one kind of cashew cup, and also mint smoothie.
Featured products include: Knoke’s Caramel Popcorn, from $10, given a 5.0 star rating; Assorted Caramels, from $7.95, 3.7 star rating; and Sugar Free Assorted Chocolates, $9.
There are many specialty sales, seasonal chocolates and tasting events.
And get your shipment on time! Orders are processed and shipped between 3-5 business days (January-October). Plan for an increased processing time (7-10 business days) during the months of November-December, but you won’t have to worry about that for several months. Also, and you gotta love this whole lotta attention to detail, they say to please note that extreme heat will delay order processing. But you can still get your ice cream in the cold, just like a cute older couple the other day who dropped their gloves to eat a chocolate version.
We’ll let them tell it from here:
History of Knoke’s.
“Just two blocks from the St. Croix River in downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, Knoke’s Chocolates & Nuts sits ideally located to draw in passing locals and tourists alike. Since 2000, this locally owned and operated business has called Locust Street home, where its handcrafted confections are made daily, and with love.”
On owner Dave Knoke. Our “why” and purpose.
“Dave’s reason for building his company can’t simply be boiled down to just work ethic; he loves serving the people of Hudson. From the very first time he made someone smile with his chocolates, he was hooked. ‘Instant gratification,’ he calls it. Dave believes in the importance of an owner’s presence in his shop.” If he’s able, he will be available recommending flavors.
“Dave is originally from Lancaster, Wisconsin. He was raised on a cattle farm, an experience to which he credits his work ethic. While the idea of opening a chocolate shop wasn’t something he would describe as a lifelong dream, Dave recalls noticing the similarities between farming livestock and making chocolate. Both require hard work. For 23 years, Knoke’s has stood as a place for family and friends to enjoy sweet treats together.
“In addition to chocolate and candy, the shop offers a fine selection of house-roasted nuts, gourmet popcorn, ice cream, gelato & sorbet, and gift boxes that range from humble to extravagant.” And economical.
You can follow on Instagram at Knoke’s Chocolates and Nuts.