New-to-market gelato and chocolate shop Tifa is sweet on Westchester Commons

Gelato and chocolates shop Tifa is planning to open a location at Westchester Commons. Tifa also sells coffee and baked goods such as cookies. (Courtesy Tifa)

A new-to-market chain of sweets shops is coming to Westchester Commons.

Tifa, which sells chocolate, gelato and other treats, is planning to open a location at 15729 WC Main St., according to a permit recently filed with Chesterfield County. The shop is planned for a storefront in the same building as Books-A-Million and across from Buffalo Wild Wings.

Based in California,  Tifa’s franchised shops offer two dozen flavors of gelato, as well as coffee and desserts like cookies and lemon bars. They also sell chocolate bars, bonbons and chocolate truffles as well as other candies.

More details about the upcoming shop, like its anticipated opening date, weren’t available. It also wasn’t clear who the franchisee is behind the local outpost. The company didn’t respond to emails seeking comment.

Tifa has about a dozen locations, most of which are in California. The company also has locations in Texas, North Carolina and Arizona. Tifa’s website lists a Midlothian location as “coming soon,” along with a handful of other planned shops across several states.

The company’s website doesn’t name Virginia locations, and the upcoming Westchester Commons location would appear to be the brand’s first in the state.

Tifa was founded in 2007 as an online chocolate seller, and the company later transitioned into a brick-and-mortar business with a franchise model, according to its website.

Tifa says the initial investment needed to open a location ranges between about $500,000 and $676,000, which includes a $47,500 franchise fee.

Westchester Commons is anchored by Target and Regal Cinemas. An Outpost Pizza location just opened at the development, while StyleCraft Homes, which has been building townhomes at  Westchester Commons, earlier this year secured more land to build additional units at the western Chesterfield center.

The post New-to-market gelato and chocolate shop Tifa is sweet on Westchester Commons appeared first on Richmond BizSense.