Big expansion plans for ChocMo, High Spirits

POULSBO — ChocMo and High Spirits plan to build and relocate to a 28,000-square-foot, two-story building on 8th Avenue, opening in fall 2017.

Both businesses are owned by the Crabtree/Ryan family.

High Spirits, which brands itself as a “destination liquor store,” will occupy 10,000 square feet, up from its current 4,000 square feet. It will offer growler fills, a beer cave, and a shopable wine cellar, as well as classes, tastings, and a delivery service.

ChocMo, which began in 2005 as a chocolate shop and has since grown into a brunch, lunch, and dinner restaurant, will focus on breakfast and lunch — with a menu built around paninis, crepes, and salads — and espresso and chocolate drinks. ChocMo will also have beer and wine on tap, and WiFi for customers.

Upstairs, the Crabtrees will open Crabtree kitchen + bar, with seating for 180 guests and focusing on local food and craft drinks, nightly dinner, and weekend brunch.

According to ChocMo founder Peter Crabtree, Crabtree kitchen + bar is “a larger-scale endeavor to create a new way for customers to interact with food. …

“Dating back to some original homesteads in North Kitsap, our family has a strong connection to both the land and our food. On our ranch, Silver Creek Angus in Kingston, we raise all the beef for ChocMo and will continue that tradition for Crabtree kitchen + bar.

“We are also going to use as much of the on-site landscaping area as possible to grow fruits and vegetables on-site for our new location. We believe that you should know where your food and drinks come from. It matters. To that end, we will have some fun educational opportunities for guests to participate and learn about local agriculture, including farm tours and other experience opportunities.”

ChocMo will expand as well. Currently, ChocMo creates chocolate truffles, bars, barks, caramels and other confections. In its new location, ChocMo will create its own chocolate for use in its confections.