Several decades ago, Clark Gable was smoking a pipe and gazing at Marilyn Monroe who was poised elegantly (and a little provocatively) on top of his hand-carved, Mahogany desk. There is a photograph to prove it.
Today, that desk has taken up residence in Vero Beach at the How Sweet It Is Chocolate Factory, along with two massive, hand-carved chairs and a bronze shoe, all of which belonged to the actor.
Only steps away from the antique desk and chairs is a circular glass counter full of homemade fudge and hand-dipped chocolate candies.
Local chocolatier Judy Pinkman is the the face behind the chocolates, and she creates them all on-site in a room walled by Plexiglas so visitors can watch her work.
Her husband, Richard Pinkman, makes all of the fudge from scratch.
The Pinkmans have been serving up sweets in Vero Beach for seven years. Their current location on the southwest corner of Old Dixie Highway and 16th Street provides customers the opportunity to admire a broad collection of antiques, or what Richard calls “eye candy,” while munching on fresh, homemade treats.
“I’d say we have over $1 million worth of antiques in here and none of it is junk,” Richard Pinkman said.
Nearly every inch of wall space is covered with interesting artifacts, and floor space is limited to a narrow walking path between collected treasures.
But perhaps the most eye-catching object in the place hangs from the ceiling, courtesy of Tiger Woods.
After the Tiger Woods scandal that ended in divorce with his then-wife, Elin Nordegren, a sparkling crystal chandelier was among the possessions Nordegren purged from her home.
After the chandelier, fit for a grand ballroom, was passed between a few owners, it landed in the hands of the Pinkmans, and according to the couple, is not and never will be for sale.
So if you’re in the mood for tasting some chocolates in the shadows of Old Hollywood memorabilia or underneath the scandal-ridden golf star’s former chandelier, I suggest visiting the Pinkmans and asking for a tour.
When it comes to the treats, as weird as it may sound, try out the chocolate covered potato chips. They are a customer favorite after all.
As for the slightly provocative photo of Marilyn Monroe goes, that’s tucked away in the Pinkman’s private antique collection to keep the shop family friendly.