{"id":358,"date":"2016-07-12T08:31:45","date_gmt":"2016-07-12T08:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.thestorefront.com\/?p=358"},"modified":"2026-03-16T16:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:54:09","slug":"tcho-pop-up-stores-drive-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/tcho-pop-up-stores-drive-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"How TCHO Uses Pop-Up Shops to Bring Its Chocolate \u201cFlavor Labs\u201d to Customers and Power Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/tcho-pop-up-stores-drive-growth\/#Bringing_Flavor_Labs_to_the_Public\" title=\"Bringing Flavor Labs to the Public\">Bringing Flavor Labs to the Public<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/tcho-pop-up-stores-drive-growth\/#Pop-Up_Retail_in_San_Francisco_and_Berkeley\" title=\"Pop-Up Retail in San Francisco and Berkeley\">Pop-Up Retail in San Francisco and Berkeley<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/tcho-pop-up-stores-drive-growth\/#Expanding_to_New_Yorks_Lower_East_Side\" title=\"Expanding to New York\u2019s Lower East Side\">Expanding to New York\u2019s Lower East Side<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/tcho-pop-up-stores-drive-growth\/#Why_Pop-Up_Retail_Works_for_Food_Brands\" title=\"Why Pop-Up Retail Works for Food Brands\">Why Pop-Up Retail Works for Food Brands<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p>Chocolate brand <a href=\"https:\/\/tcho.com\/\">TCHO<\/a> has used pop-up retail as a central part of its growth strategy, creating temporary spaces where customers can discover its chocolate through immersive tasting experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Known for its \u201cpod to palate\u201d philosophy and direct partnerships with cacao farmers, the Berkeley-based company combines ethical sourcing with a strong focus on flavor. Pop-up stores allow the brand to translate that approach into interactive retail experiences where visitors can explore the science and craft behind chocolate making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Temporary retail spaces have helped TCHO expand its presence while maintaining a direct relationship with its customers. Brands exploring similar activations often begin by browsing available locations through platforms such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\">Storefront<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bringing_Flavor_Labs_to_the_Public\"><\/span>Bringing Flavor Labs to the Public<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"885\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho2-1024x885.jpg\" alt=\"TCHO uses pop up stores to power growth\" class=\"wp-image-360\" style=\"width:603px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho2-1024x885.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho2-1024x885-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho2-1024x885-768x664.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho2-1024x885-810x700.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>TCHO describes many of its retail activations as <strong>\u201cflavor labs.\u201d<\/strong> These spaces invite customers to explore chocolate through guided tastings and product discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of a traditional retail format, the pop-ups function as experiential environments where visitors can learn how different cacao origins, roasting techniques, and ingredients shape the flavor of chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pop-up shops provide the flexibility to launch these experiences in different cities, bringing the brand directly to new audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Andrew Burke, CEO of TCHO, explains the strategy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPop-Up Retail is a key part of TCHO\u2019s strategy to keep our brand top-of-mind. Pop-Up Stores broaden our opportunities to meet our customers where and when they shop. Storefront has helped us procure multiple locations that previously would have been unavailable to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pop-Up_Retail_in_San_Francisco_and_Berkeley\"><\/span>Pop-Up Retail in San Francisco and Berkeley<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"885\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho3-1024x885.jpg\" alt=\"TCHO pop up shop in NYC\" class=\"wp-image-361\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho3-1024x885.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho3-1024x885-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho3-1024x885-768x664.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho3-1024x885-810x700.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>TCHO\u2019s home base in the San Francisco Bay Area has been an important starting point for its retail activations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The brand has used temporary retail spaces in the region to introduce new products and engage directly with local customers. Visitors exploring the Bay Area\u2019s retail scene can discover similar opportunities through spaces such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/search\/san-francisco\/retail\">pop-up shops in San Francisco<\/a> or nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/search\/berkeley\/retail\">retail spaces in Berkeley<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These locations allow the brand to maintain close connections with its community while experimenting with new retail concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Expanding_to_New_Yorks_Lower_East_Side\"><\/span>Expanding to New York\u2019s Lower East Side<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>TCHO has also brought its pop-up concept to New York, including activations in neighborhoods known for their vibrant retail culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lower East Side, in particular, offers a strong environment for temporary retail experiences where brands can connect with both local shoppers and international visitors. Brands considering similar launches often explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/search\/new-york\/lower-east-side\/retail\">pop-up shops on the Lower East Side<\/a> or browse other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/search\/new-york\/retail\">pop-up shops in New York<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By bringing its flavor labs to cities like San Francisco and New York, TCHO has been able to introduce new audiences to its products while maintaining the educational and experiential aspects that define the brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"885\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-362 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho-1-1024x885.jpg\" alt=\"TCHO pop up in LES NYC\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho-1-1024x885.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho-1-1024x885-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho-1-1024x885-768x664.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/tcho-1-1024x885-810x700.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><br>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Pop-Up_Retail_Works_for_Food_Brands\"><\/span>Why Pop-Up Retail Works for Food Brands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For food and beverage companies, pop-up stores provide an ideal environment for tasting experiences and direct customer interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike traditional retail, these temporary spaces allow brands to experiment with storytelling, demonstrations, and community events. Visitors can sample products, learn about sourcing and ingredients, and engage with the people behind the brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Entrepreneurs interested in launching similar activations can learn more in this guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/how-to-open-pop-up-store-storefront\/\">how to run a pop-up shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>TCHO\u2019s use of pop-up retail demonstrates how temporary spaces can help brands bring their products to life while building lasting connections with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chocolate brand TCHO uses pop-up shops and flavor labs in San Francisco and New York to bring its ethical, flavor-driven chocolate directly to customers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":359,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"qubely_global_settings":"","qubely_interactions":"","content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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Kerbrat","author_link":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/author\/ak\/"},"qubely_comment":0,"qubely_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/category\/success-stories\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Success Stories<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/category\/success-stories-usa\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Success Stories USA<\/a>","qubely_excerpt":"Chocolate brand TCHO uses pop-up shops and flavor labs in San Francisco and New York to bring its ethical, flavor-driven chocolate directly to customers.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=358"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestorefront.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}