Sadly, one of my FAVORITE shops, ever, is now closed! I only made it to Santa Fe three times, but this was a "must stop." every visit. Even though it is now closed, I still want to show you the beauty and creativity of this wonderful store and it's artistic owner.
Todos Santos Chocolate and Confections opened in 1999 in Santa Fe New Mexico. Born from a melding of passion for Parisan chocolate shops, Mexican folk art and a rapidly expanding personal collection of antique chocolate molds. (In which I can identify!)
The shop was owned by Hayward Simoneaux. He began shaping his confections in the shape of Milagros, "small charm like silver and gold offerings to saints" in traditional Hispanic cultures using custom molds and coverings of silver and gold leaf. Todos Santos chocolates were Valrhona based though fine packaged chocolates as Knipchildt and Michel Clueizel originating elsewhere were also sold.
The store offered it's own truffles in flavors like "black pepper, burn caramel and red chile-tangerine" enclosed in ornate and colorful packaging.
After my first visit to the shop, I left enchanted! Just look at the entrance.
The display over the front door changed from time to time.
A peek through the widow at Christmas!
Here is a rare glimpse of the tiny "jewel box" of a store. Photos were forbidden, but these were posted by the owner on his Instagram site.
I never really saw it all. I never knew where to look next. I did venture into a corner the last time that I shopped there and found a mirrored skull stuffed with caramels that went home with me!
Hayward often worked with artists to create exclusive items for his packaging.
From Instagram: "Don't Worry Be Hopi! From the village of Shungopavi at Second Mesa, Arizona, a young Hopi artist by the name of Rodriguez Poleahla started carving at the age of 7. After meeting Rodriguez, by now a young teenager and admiring the old style flat Katsinas hew was making, I decided to older a large group of the turkey ones to use on Thanksgiving boxes. To my delight, this young man had the initiative to make the order, packed beautifully and have someone drive him for what sounded like a far distance to the post office. They were beautifully carved and painted andon time for the holidays."
Here in 2015, clay turkey ornaments were found at the Labor Day Market at Kewa/Santo Domingo Pueblo.
Todos Santos caught the eye of Forbes Magazine:
And also Gourmet Magazine:
And Dean and DeLuca.
The packaging was always exquisite and unusual! And sourced from unusual places. I saw a post on Trip Advisor saying the candy was "ridiculously overpriced." Well, that customer had no idea of the quality of the paper, the ribbons or the tie-ons, let alone high end chocolate that Todos Santos had. They were not just boxes of candy to be eaten and the containers tossed away. They were individual works of art!
Such as the ribbon badges adorn the sleeves of the male dancers participating in the Virgin of Carmen Festival in Paucartambo Peru, so naturally they made wonderful adornment to the packages boxes of chocolates.
Todos Santos loved Day of the Dead so much that they didn't limit it to October! They had a Day of the Dead Christmas, Day of the Dead Valentine's Day and Day of the Dead Easter!
This image was titled: "Low and Slow." lowrider Santa pulled by a wild pack of Chihuahuas! Created by recycled paper artist, Rick Phelps.
Another titled: "Sweet Jesus." These decorative hinged retablo boxes, called "nicnos" are a type of folk art popular throughout Central and South America. These Peruvian nichos served mostly as altars, but made a beautiful bed at Christmas for a sugar baby Jesus.
December 12th honors Our Lady Of Guadalupe, also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe, a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary and patron saint who led Mexico to independence from Spain.
Titled "These Boots Were Made for Chocolate" These glittery boots were filled with chocolate, reminiscent of Chinese stockings.
This Christmas packaging was a nod to their customers from Texas.
Packaging for Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival!
Suggested as a Holiday hostess gift, This Indonesian box was filled with several pounds of chocolate and a Korean lemons surprise ball. Topped of with a Peruvian dance mask containing noisemakers, confetti, shooters, balloons and other party paraphernalia. (plus lots of ribbons, flowers, tinsel, feathers and bells for good measure!)
More custom made paper and mirror trim was used for a special gift!
Titled "Divine Bovine" this was a nod to the riotous color and flavors of India. Rose water, jasmine, cardamom and sacred cows all come together in an explosion of color and taste!
Again, beautiful hand made paper, miles of ribbon and religious iconography
This packaging was designed for January, 6th, or King's Day. It commigrates the visit of the Magi.
Folk Art designer, Wendy Addison's creations graced packages of premier chocolate! This was a creation for New Years.
Another Wendy Addison trim for baby shower gifts and favors. Probably gender reveal as well!
My favorite creations from Todos Santos were the chocolate Milagros that they used for Valentine's Day. The Sacred Heart of Jesus became wonderful truffles and caramels.
An example of what you might find inside your Valentine box!
One Valentine's Day the packaging included bead hearts made by the Maasai artists.
Another year's Valentine packaging using tin Milagros.
Todos Santos was always looking for ways to share the rich heritage and culture of Spanish Colonial New Mexica. These Sacred Heart ornaments designed by Benjamin Lujan were used to adorn their dark chocolate candy bars.
More Valentine packaging.
I have these Milagro heart boxes, too!
Valentine's Day 2021
I love this Easter packaging! I have a set of these metal Faberge Imperial Egg reproductions myself.
More inspired Easter packaging.
Tie-ons were sourced from all over the world.
from Czechoslovakia
from Japan
The mythical creature Alebrije masks were from Mexico. Others were sourced from Bali, Ecuador, Peru.
A Mother's Day offering had a heart from Peru.
Another Mother's Day offering used clay butterfly lady ornaments from Peru.
The inspiration for the design below was masking/Mardi Gras!
They used Pagos de Plomo "payments of lead" to decorate boxed chocolate. These small silver amulets are used in the Peruvian Andes as offerings to thee Earth Mother, Pachamama.
A customer posted this box of chocolates that she had received as a gift.
Here were the chocolates in it.
Todos Santos made items on special order.
Santa Fe's Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts placed a custom order to creatd favors for the opening night exhibit, "Mirror, Mirror."
These clay dog head party favors were created for a birthday dinner by the Jose Garcia Antonion family, Oaxacan potters.
Fashion was also a source of inspiration for Todos Santos. This packaging was inspired by the dress Cecil Beaton designed for Audrey Hepburn to wear in My Fair Lady.
I had to laugh at the explanation on this gift box. It was called the "I'm sorry" box...in case someone forgot Valentine's Day!
Here owner, Hayward, is in a playful mood!
Playfulness came in many forms. A Pez suit and mask by Steve White was a frequent display at Todos Santos.
More inspiration.
In 2005, Todos Santos started ordering calendars!
The owner said of this package, that he had been a boy scout and he thought of that when he found these cards. It also reminded him of Cher!
If there was anything iconic of Todos Santos it was their milagros. I bought some of these the first time I visited the shop. I also bought several body parts in silver leaf. I saved them for years. When deciding to write this blog I got them out and then had all crumbled.
They inspired me to make these for Christmas several years ago. I have gold leaf, but didn't use it.
On my second visit to the store, I purchased these boxes of candy. I could not bring myself to open them! Of course I still have them
An advertising card for Todos Santos.
A wonderful Milagro.
More advertising cards. I bought the silver leg and a gold heart and something else on my first visit. I can't remember.
More advertising cards.
Why did the store close? You can put the blame on the Corna Virus. During the first lockdown, Simoneaux lost 80% of his revenue.
Easter was the worst time for Simoneaux, falling on the very depths of the lockdown. He lost all his Easter chocolate, which involved hundreds of boxes from France, Belgium, Italy and local artisans.
He told me that he stopped shipping chocolate about 5 years ago. In store traffic was reduced considerably. Also, his lease at the plaza was ending.
Simoneaux does not have a plan for the future, yet, but here's hoping that he reopens another shop, but in Arizona. Perhaps in Scottsdale? Or Buckeye!
All the photos and captions were taken from the Todos Santo Archive board on Instagram.
To see lots more go to the Instagram site:
@todossantosarchive
