CocoAndré, a beloved chocolatier and horchateria owned by mother-daughter duo Andrea and Cindy Pedraza, is selling the Bishop Arts home where it got its start 15 years ago. But don’t worry: This isn’t the end of CocoAndré.
The news was shared in an Instagram post Tuesday. Cindy told D Magazine the sale of the house was for several reasons, one of them being her mother’s upcoming retirement. Andrea started CocoAndré in her 50s, and Cindy says it’s about time for her to finish working.
“From the time she was 20 she’s always worked,” Cindy says. “I can’t be any more grateful to her. She’s left a legacy behind for me.”
CocoAndré opened in the Bishop Arts District in 2009. Andrea and Cindy made marvelous chocolate creations with Mexican-inspired ingredients out of their tiny cottage in the form of bars, truffles, bark, horchata, and coffee. The shop has won numerous accolades, including best chocolatier for our Best of Big D awards.
Over time, CocoAndré grew into a destination for loyal and new customers. Bishop Arts changed, too, and Cindy says now it’s time to transition into a more manageable business.
Their next move is still under wraps, but part of the plan is to go national and do more wholesale work. Cindy says she still plans to be in North Texas with a new storefront so customers can access their chocolates and horchata. She also wants to add more educational events where customers can learn about how the chocolate is sourced, with possible excursions to Mexico.
The decision to sell the house wasn’t something Cindy took lightly. The Pedrazas added their own touches to the 100-year-old cottage over the last 15 years: new floors, a bright yellow door, and mint green accents. Cindy says she knew for a while that her mother was planning to retire, but it didn’t truly hit her until last July.
“I would catch myself crying and watery-eyed,” she says. “We’ve seen people get married, have kids, lose partners. It hit me pretty hard.”
After launching Olmo Market earlier this year, Cindy says she redirected her focus to CocoAndré events. They plan to have their last Día de los Muertos at the house on Nov. 4. A full announcement for their next move will happen Sept. 16 at the Common Hearts Market at Four Corners Brewing.
CocoAndré will continue to operate out of Bishop Arts until at least the end of the year, Cindy says. Until then, head over to get one last fix.
CocoAndré, 508 W. 7th St.
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