HCR 294

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2026
No. R-352. House concurrent resolution honoring Nicholas Monte, Bennington
County’s chocolatier extraordinaire.
                                        (H.C.R.294)
Offered by Representatives Morrissey of Bennington, Cooper of Pownal, Corcoran of
Bennington, Durfee of Shaftsbury, Greer of Bennington, Hunter of Manchester, James of
Manchester, Nigro of Bennington, and Pinsonault of Dorset
   Offered by Senators Bongartz and Plunkett
   Whereas, in 1988, Nick Monte and his wife, Judy, opened the Village Peddler gift
store in East Arlington, allegedly to slow down from being a general store owner in
Arlington, and he introduced chocolate into the store, thus beginning a second-career
journey as a chocolatier, and
   Whereas, his chocolate talents are an amalgamation of creative artistry and technical
expertise, using specialized tools, including an enrober, a cooling tunnel, and tempering
machines, and
   Whereas, the delicious confection’s presence has expanded to include the
Chocolatorium, a unique chocolate exhibit and a fun place to explore that welcomes
visitors to “immerse yourself in the wonderful world of chocolate,” through a film, self-
guided tour, or participation in a chocolate-making experience that allows visitors to
become chocolatiers, and
  Whereas, in 2002, Nick Monte expanded his chocolate domain, opening the Village
Chocolate Shoppe (VCS) in Bennington, the home of Benny, the 100-pound chocolate
moose and his wife, Molly, and
   Whereas, that same year, Nick Monte greatly enhanced his chocolatiering skills when,
as a nontraditional older student, he graduated from the intensive candy school program
offered by Retail Confectioners International (RCI) at Gannon University in Erie,
Pennsylvania, and
   Whereas, in 2004, he became the host of summertime family-friendly events for
chocolate lovers of all ages, including fundraising programs for local causes, and
   Whereas, for 15 years, Nick Monte has been a proud exhibitor in the Vermont
building at the Eastern States Exhibition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, specializing
in chocolates, caramels, and caramel apples, and
   Whereas, in 2013, as a fundraising event for the Bennington-based Project Against
Violent Encounters, the VCS set out to establish a record for the world’s largest peanut
butter cup, and
   Whereas, twice, his colleagues specializing in chocolate honored him with the RCI’s
best Easter idea award; in 2001, for the “Patches Family” and, in 2024, for “Rabbit
Stew,” and
  Whereas, when not making chocolate treats, Nick Monte is a proud Lions Club
member, an association dating back half a century, and
                                                                            VT LEG #389911 v.1
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2026
   Whereas, in a familial collaboration with his wife, Judy; daughters Denise and Sherry;
and son Ken, Nick Monte, at 88 years of age, continues his amazing career in the world
of chocolate, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
   That the General Assembly honors Nicholas Monte, Bennington County’s chocolatier
extraordinaire, and be it further
  Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Nick Monte, the Village Chocolate Shoppe, and the Village Peddler.
                                                                           VT LEG #389911 v.1