World-renowned William Dean Chocolates selects Midtown Tampa for expansion

Massive $500M Midtown Tampa is now 90% pre-leased

TAMPA, FL – (February 16, 2021) – Striking enough to have been featured in the Hunger Games movies, and exquisite enough to have been specially requested for Pope Benedict XVI when he visited America, William Dean Chocolates are handmade only in Belleair Bluffs in Pinellas County.

That will change later this year, as founder and Chief Chocolate Officer Bill Brown has chosen to expand the business and open a second location at Midtown Tampa. With cravings for Brown’s exquisite creations in high demand, a separate bakery facility is also planned in Pinellas County to be staffed with artisans personally trained by Brown.

“William Dean Chocolates is yet another best-in-class offering joining Midtown Tampa’s thoughtfully curated, world-class brands mixed with local favorites Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea and Chef Chris Ponte,” said Nicholas Haines, CEO, Bromley Companies, master developer of Midtown Tampa. “Achieving 90 percent occupancy for the retail portion of this project is the culmination of several years of hard work and is a considerable achievement given the pandemic’s impact on the retail market.”

William Dean Chocolates, with a loyal Tampa Bay following, joins an impressive lineup of both national and local eateries, restaurants and casual dining options including local favorites that have contributed to Midtown Tampa now at an astonishing 90 percent pre-leased, continuing to sign new tenants even during the pandemic.

“The momentum for Midtown Tampa has not let up since day one, and there’s much more to come as we open, including the announcement of exciting outdoor events and public art projects.” Haines said. “We’re proud to have filled Midtown’s retail space with a collection of quality names that share our vision for this project, and look forward to opening fully leased in the months ahead.”

The Midtown Tampa location of William Dean Chocolates will serve its signature artisan chocolates, made by hand in small batches and without preservatives, to excite the eye and intrigue the palate in works of art made from the finest ingredients.

In addition to chocolates, the Parisian style café will also serve gelato, tarts, cookies and petit gateaus (small plated desserts), mouth-watering eclairs, elegant macarons and light-as-air puff pastries, along with fresh salads and sandwiches.

“As we considered expansion, no other location in Tampa Bay seemed a better fit for William Dean Chocolates’ second home than Midtown Tampa,” said Bill Brown, founder and Chief Chocolate Officer, William Dean Chocolates. “There’s so much energy and excitement surrounding this project, and we can’t wait to be a part of Midtown as we welcome everyone who lives, works or spends the day here.”

William Dean Chocolates secured the last remaining location facing the Midtown Commons green space. It will be located in 1,400 square feet near Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company.

About William Dean Chocolates

William Dean Chocolates was founded in 2007 by William Dean Brown, who now serves as the company’s Chief Chocolate Officer (CCO). It is named in honor of Brown’s father, William, and grandfather, Dean. Currently, its flagship location is in Belleair Bluffs.  William Dean Chocolates has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America by Dessert Professional. Its products have won numerous awards including Best in Show at the NY Chocolate Show and selected as one of the Top 10 salted caramels by The New York Times.  Besides appearing in The Hunger Games, William Dean’s chocolates have appeared on The Tonight Show and The View. William Dean received the third highest rating in the world and highest rating in the U.S. by the book, Chocolate – The Reference Standard, which rated more than 600 of the top chocolatiers in the world.

READ MORE