Monsoon Chocolate is saying goodbye to its Fort Lowell Cafe+Market,  but not to Tucson. The local chocolatier will shift its cafe and retail operations back to its factory location next month.

February 15 will mark the cafe’s final day, ending a nearly three year run in the midtown space.

Monsoon Chocolate released a statement on Instagram Jan. 7 announcing the cafe’s closure and calling it an important part of its story.

The post promised more details soon and thanked followers for the “community, conversations and care” that have filled the space over the years.

Monsoon Chocolate’s owners did not immediately respond to multiple interview requests by Tucson Spotlight, but said in a statement to Tucson Foodie that the decision to close comes after more than a year of “unprecedented pressure on small, values-driven food businesses in the United States.”

It pointed to historic increases in cocoa prices and a “deeply hostile economic environment” for small-scale producers and food operators, saying that the current economic landscape has made it clear that operating a full-service cafe is no longer sustainable without risking the company’s long-term health.

“This decision reflects the reality facing many independent businesses right now. Rising costs, instability, and policy choices are narrowing the space for work rooted in craft and values,” founder Adam Krantz said in the statement. “I am deeply proud of what the cafe allowed us to create, and grateful to the community that supported it.”

Monsoon Chocolate fans won’t have to travel far to get their bon bon fix, as the company will shift operations back to their original location at East 22nd St. and South 4th Ave.

They also won’t have to wait long: The factory will reopen on February 17. It will continue to serve hot chocolate and house made pastries, but will no longer be offering coffee and espresso drinks.

Customers paid tribute to the cafe on Instagram, sharing memories involving loved ones and their favorite menu items.

“I will always remember your blue corn atole ice-cream and the most perfect chocolate sauce on a simple vanilla ice cream sundae,” wrote Jessica Robinson.

One commenter blamed the closure on the longrunning construction on North Dodge Blvd.

Monsoon Chocolate was established in 2017 and opened its factory in 2018, offering a wide variety of specialty chocolates including bars, bon bons and Sonoran-Desert themed sweets.

Monsoon Chocolate is recognized as a Certified Artisan by Tucson City of Gastronomy.

Patrick Moore is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and an intern with Tucson Spotlight. Contact him at patrickcmoore@arizona.edu.

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