Eldora Chocolate to expand Hawaii offerings after new owner acquires shop
Daeus Bencomo, who lost 13,000 pounds of cacao beans in a fire, bought the Albuquerque shop to keep the bean-to-bar operation alive.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
Albuquerque residents can expect a shift in the product lineup at Eldora Chocolate in the coming weeks as the shop introduces more Hawaii-based goods. The change follows the acquisition of the business by Daeus Bencomo, a partner in Lavaloha Chocolate who previously supplied beans to the shop.
Bencomo purchased Eldora in November after seeing an Instagram post from founder Steve Prickett announcing the shop would close in October. The sale resolved a personal and professional dilemma for Bencomo, who had been saving money to rebuild his Hilo, Hawaii production facility after a May fire destroyed his equipment and 13,000 pounds of cacao beans. He decided to invest that capital in an existing operation instead of rebuilding from scratch.
Prickett launched Eldora in 2018 at 8114 Edith NE after a trip to Hawaii inspired him to enter the industry. The shop is one of only two in New Mexico that processes beans into chocolate on site. It has earned a gold medal from the International Chocolate Awards and maintains a policy of using fine ingredients without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
The new ownership structure allows the shop to upgrade its classification from bean-to-bar to tree-to-bar, thanks to Lavaloha’s own cacao tree farm. Bencomo plans to showcase products made from Lavaloha beans as well as cacao sourced from across Hawaii. Prickett confirmed the shop will continue to offer beans from various origins.
The current staff will remain in place, and Bencomo has already hired two additional employees. He expects to hire at least a few more in the coming months. The shop will continue to offer paid educational tours, but Bencomo is considering free programming for local schools. He is also evaluating outdoor improvements, including a pond, grass area, and gazebo.
Bencomo plans to travel between Hawaii and New Mexico throughout the year. He will return to Hawaii in December for the holiday season but intends to visit frequently. He has not yet ruled out purchasing property in New Mexico to establish a more permanent local presence.
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