WRITTEN BY CAITLIN M. DEWICKI
Photo by [Peasant Life]
A Legacy Reimagined: The Quix Chocolate Story
A Labor of Love
“Chocolate is such a happy medium,” David Ogloza, owner of Quix Chocolate, says with an easy laugh. “It’s a labor of love.”
You can feel that truth the moment you step into his chocolate shop in Ferndale. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the light shines through, casting a glint across the display case filled with rows of delectable chocolates. There is no rush here, no conveyor-belt coldness—only patience, precision, and a craftsman who sees chocolate not as candy, but as culture.
To understand how Quix Chocolate came to life in Michigan, you have to step back to 1949 Belgium, where a family reinvented itself in the aftermath of war.
From Wartime Ruins to Belgian Craftsmanship
The Quix story begins after World War II, when a family-owned restaurant in Leuven, Belgium, was destroyed by bombings. With their livelihood gone, they did what resilient families often do—they started again. “They roasted cocoa beans in their basement and made chocolate from scratch,” David explains. “That’s how Chocolate House Quix was born.”
For decades, the shop served locals and bakeries, quickly expanding across borders to the French, Germans, and Dutch. That is, until the mid-1980s. With no apparent heir, the doors closed, and the chocolate recipes were preserved.
The iconic name Quix is David’s mother’s maiden name, a nod to the family that carried the craft forward. After studying with a Belgian chocolatier, David moved to the United States years later, bringing with him the recipes, the molds, the heritage, and the heartbeat of tradition. “I lived in Belgium my entire life,” he says. “All my family is back there.” But Michigan, with its friendliness and seasons that reminded him of home, quickly became the right place to build a new chapter.
“We’re basically bringing a bit of Belgian culture to Michigan…but Made in Michigan.”
Crafted with the Eye First, and the Heart Second
“I always say we eat with our eyes, but it has to taste good as well,” David shares as his newest employee handpaints seasonal turkey molds.
This philosophy is the heartbeat of Quix Chocolate’s production. Each piece is a meticulous, multi-step process. Whether it’s painting, molding, filling, or letting the chocolate set, it’s repeated with the same precision the original Quix family practiced in their Belgian kitchen.
“We don’t compromise on ingredients. We use Callebaut Belgian chocolate because it’s creamier…and all our fillings are made from scratch. Fresh cream. Butter. Local dairy from Guernsey’s.”
Quality and variety are non-negotiables. With about 40 flavors behind the chocolate counter—70% dark, 20% milk, the rest white—each paired intentionally like wine with food. “Raspberry, for example, I would never pair it with milk chocolate,” he says. “But it goes beautifully with dark. Coconut is better with milk. It’s all about balance.”
Some flavors are playful, yuzu, Biscoff, and apple crisp, yet their core remains rooted in recognizable Belgian tradition. And of course, David’s personal favorites: chocolate chickens. “I’ve always had an affinity for chickens…so we’ll always have some larger chicken figurines in the store. Not because there’s a demand for it, just because it’s personal to me.”
A Design for Every Season
Part of the charm of Quix Chocolate is its ability to surprise customers during the year. Their chocolate molds, many of them brought directly from Belgium, shape each season into something magical.
“Our Quix chocolate is the shape of a crown. It’s also the shape of our logo. It’s the chocolate shape I grew up with.”
In Autumn, the case fills with pumpkin spice ganache, little corn-shaped chocolates with hazelnut and crushed cornflakes, and whimsical mushrooms. Winter brings nutcrackers, snowmen, peppermint-studded pieces, and a holiday assortment box with a champagne bottle and chocolates that feel like tiny works of edible art.
Every year, David and his team introduce something new. “Even if you visited last year, you’ll find different things the next,” he says. “Nobody has bought everything we make. It would take a while…especially since we change flavors for every season.”
Community, Connection, & the Warmest Kind of Hospitality
While Quix Chocolate is undeniably rooted in European tradition, its soul has been warmly adopted by the Michigan community. Ferndale embraced the shop on its opening day, July 21, 2022—Belgium’s National Independence Day— and customers often drive from an hour away just to visit. “We’ve become a destination location,” David reflects. ”People come because they want a unique gift. And they stay because of the experience.”
“We don’t rush things at the front. People take their time choosing the right chocolates. That’s totally fine with us. We’re a European business.”
Beyond chocolates, Quix also obtained a retail liquor license to celebrate its Belgian heritage with their curated selection of Belgian beers and European wines. “Belgium is known for chocolate, French fries, and beer,” David laughs. “We have two out of three.”
The shop’s warmth goes beyond flavor. It’s felt in the steady hum of the kitchen, the painted molds drying, and the cozy glow of the retail space. And most of all, it’s felt when someone finally tastes a chocolate the Quix team has spent days perfecting.
Partnerships in Growth
When asked about community collaborations, David lights up as he mentions Meijer. “The collaboration with Meijer…getting on a Made in Michigan end cap in 45 stores was crazy,” he says.
Woodward Corner Market, in particular, carries a broader assortment of Quix Chocolate items than the standard Meijer supercenter, part of the store’s commitment to uplifting local makers with distinctive stories.
Early partners like Western Market and Holiday Market also played important roles, encouraging the Quix team to develop retail packaging, nutrition labels, and barcodes. Each collaboration nudged the company forward without diluting its handmade charm.
Ann Arbor Awaits
Today, Quix operates two retail locations, its Ferndale storefront and a shop inside the DTW airport’s Evans Terminal. With 61 grocery partners, David and his team are preparing for their next chapter: A brand-new retail store in downtown Ann Arbor, opening early next year.
“A whole new spot,” he says with excitement and nerves. “A whole new challenge.” Yet no matter how much Quix Chocolate grows, the craft remains the same: small batch, hand-painted, and deeply intentional.
A Small Hug in Every Bite
“I hope when people eat our chocolate, they have a moment of joy,” David says softly. “Like getting a small hug in the shape of a chocolate.”
That warmth, so simple, sincere, and deeply human, echoes through every corner of his shop and every piece of chocolate the team creates.
It’s also what makes Quix Chocolate such a perfect fit for Meijer’s Market Format, a place that champions local artisans and celebrates the exceptional flavor of Michigan-made goods.
So next time you're shopping at Woodward Corner Market, look for the Quix Chocolate display. Let your eyes lead you, let your palate follow, and allow your heart to savor the story molded into each chocolate—a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and chocolate made with love, one small hug at a time.
