ROANOKE, VA, June 3, 2026 – chocolatepaper is excited to announce its 20th anniversary on June 23 and a packed lineup of celebration sales and events. Make plans to see all that “cp 2.0” has to offer: same sweet selection, fun fresh finds, and NEW ERA ENERGY! The “cp 2.0” celebration reflects chocolatepaper’s next chapter – sweet with a dose of sass – as the store focuses on creating more memorable customer experiences.
To kick things off, “20 Days of 20% Savings” features discounts in a different department every day. (Want 20% off all truffles? Join us June 17!) The finale is 20% off the ENTIRE store during anniversary party day on June 23.
What better way to celebrate a new era than with another level of taste? New wine and beer offerings! Not one but TWO wine tasting events are scheduled featuring delicious local wines in the chocolatepaper Tasting Room. Virginia Mountain Vineyard will host a tasting event on Saturday, June 20, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery will offer tastings during the celebration on June 23 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Kicking off the next era, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce along with the City of Roanoke and Downtown Roanoke Inc will host a ribbon cutting on June 24 at 11 a.m. for one last celebration with plenty more samples and holiday corporate gift incentives.
Follow chocolatepaper’s social media channels for information about in-store prizes and the ultimate giveaway of a Downtown Roanoke Extravaganza Package featuring an overnight stay at the nearby Hampton Inn, dinner at Table 50 Restaurant across the street, and, of course, a chocolatepaper gift card.
A must-see destination in downtown Roanoke on the historic Farmer’s Market, chocolatepaper is known for its curated collection of specialty chocolates, uncommon gifts, and distinctive greeting cards. Local and Virginia products, including the chocolate Mill Mountain Star, are a perennial fan favorite.
“We are absolutely humbled by the support this community – and our tourism friends – have shown us since we began in 2006,” shared Melissa Mays, co-owner of chocolatepaper with her cousin, Matt Burkett. “Our family business has become an icon of its own thanks to our loyal customers and dedicated team. We are thrilled to see what new chapters will be written in our story.”
This store in downtown Roanoke isn’t the family’s first entrepreneurial venture. Mark Burkett made the leap from commercial banking to open his first greeting card store in the then-newly renovated Roanoke City Market Building in the summer of 1985. A few short months later, the 100-year Flood of ’85 “washed away Mark Burkett’s dream” as the evening edition of the Roanoke Times & World News began their article on the historically disastrous event. After relocating to Richmond, Mark and business partner Stan McCulloch opened what is now known as Mongrel, the beloved Carytown retailer celebrating 35 years this summer. In 2006, Mark and Stan brought that experience back to Roanoke, and along with Matt and Melissa, created chocolatepaper.
Having received a multitude of awards and recognition over the years, including a recent June spotlight in Travel + Leisure magazine, chocolatepaper gives the credit to customers for continuing to support its selection of chocolate, greeting cards, and gifts.
“One of my favorite figures in our sales reports is the number of greeting cards we sell. The idea that our customers are sharing those thoughts with someone else is the very essence of our store,” said Mays. “We simply can’t say thank you enough.”
Event Schedule:
20 Days of Savings (June 4 – June 23) – 20% Off Featured Departments Daily
- Birthday cards, giftwrap, bags
- Children’s toys & books
- Scented candles, tapers, & holders
- Dish towels & tea towels
- Socks, baseball caps, Roanoke sweatshirts, & tote bags
- All books
- All case traditional chocolate
- Entire Garden section
- Journals, notepads, & boxed cards
- Cavallini posters & blind boxes
- All puzzles & games
- Entire kitchen section
- All cards & postcards
- All truffles
- Entire nature & outdoor section
- Father’s Day cards & gifts
- Barware, bar items & glassware
- All pens, stickers, pins, patches, & magnets
- All Virginia & Roanoke items
- Entire Store
- June 20 – Virginia Mountain Vineyards Wine & Chocolate Tasting | 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- June 23 – Anniversary Celebration All Day & Great Valley Farm Wine & Chocolate Tasting | 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- June 24 – Ribbon Cutting with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce | 11 a.m.
Customers can visit chocolatepaper at 308 Market St SE during store hours (Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.) and follow along on Facebook and Instagram @chocolatepaperroanoke for daily announcements and giveaway details.
