Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinSavoring a delightful Purdys chocolate on a cozy evening got us thinking about our lifelong love for their Hedgehogs. If everything could be molded into these fun and whimsical shapes, the world would definitely be more magical!
To give you the nudge you’re looking for to grab your favorite treat, we’ve delved deeper into this chocolate factory and all-around wonderful place.
By the way, you read that right – it’s Purdys, not Purdy’s (drop that apostrophe)!
The Purdys Chocolatier
Purdys Chocolatier is a chocolate company based in Vancouver, Canada that has been in business for over 110 years. It is the largest chocolate retailer in Canada, with over 80 stores across the country, and a 57,000 square foot factory.
Purdys is known for its high-quality chocolate, reflecting the premium ingredients and creativity of the team behind it.
This beloved Canadian brand produces chocolates that have a rich flavor and smooth texture. They also offer a wide variety of chocolate products, including truffles shaped like Hedgehogs, Sweet Georgia Browns, and chocolate bars, among so many others.
The company was founded in 1907 by Richard Purdy, who opened his first chocolate shop on Robson Street right when it was still taking shape as a shopping district.
Purdy was a passionate chocolatier who was dedicated to making the best possible chocolate. He used only the finest ingredients and developed his own unique recipes.
Over the course of a century, the company has evolved under three different owners. The second one were the Forresters (whose patriarch was able to buy the company for something close to CAD 16 today) and the third and current one are the Flavelles.
Now, aside from the retail stores, Purdys also sells its chocolates online and through select retailers. The company also offers a corporate gifting program and supports a number of charitable organizations, including the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Things to Know about Purdys Chocolatier Factory
Address: The factory is located at 2777 Kingsway Vancouver Canada V5R 5H7.
Tours: The Factory Kitchen at Purdys Chocolatier does not offer public tours. Purdys only offers a limited number of factory tours per year to select groups, such as school groups and media outlets.
Factory Shop: You can buy from the shop that is attached to the factory.
Parking: Parking options at the Purdys Vancouver factory are quite limited. You’ll find a small parking lot to the east of the building, but it tends to fill up quickly. There’s also some street parking along Kingsway, though this, too, is limited in availability.
What to Expect Inside the Purdys Chocolatier Factory
Candies, Chocolates, and Everything Nice
If you ever envied Charlie (and the Chocolate Factory, remember?) as a kid, you have to be warned that the sensation might resurface once you enter the Purdys factory.
Inside, you’ll witness the candy and chocolate, ranging from their purest forms to the versions that closely resemble what we find inside the package. And in massive amounts at that.
Picture tables covered with pecan caramel cooling off, while melted milk chocolate courses through pipes to various sections of the factory and finally emerging like a chocolate waterfall.
Vancouver is Awesome shared an exclusive video, which highlights an enrobing line of chocolates passing directly under one of these cascading chocolate falls. All we can think about is dipping a finger into that stream!
In a different area of the factory, you can also observe individual chocolate pieces being meticulously placed inside that familiar purple packaging.
Depending on the batch they’re working on when you visit, you might glimpse their signature Hedgehogs or one of their seasonal delights.
And what is most likely to fire up that childhood dream of owning a chocolate factory? Breathing the scent of decadent chocolate while you’re there.
Chocolate Machines that Amaze
When you take a look around the Purdys Chocolatier factory, you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a world of machines.
These are definitely not your everyday kitchen gadgets. They’ll make you realize there’s something bigger than life-sized.
There’s a humongous chocolate melter where the pipes, as we mentioned earlier, receive their stream of chocolate.
In every corner, you’ll find mixers tirelessly working white and brown dough while receiving bags upon bags of sugar and other enchanting ingredients.
But it’s not just size. Some of these machines are designed with remarkable ingenuity to streamline the chocolate-making process.
Global News once shared a video clip that briefly features the hopper machine that diligently collects tiny pieces before they’re expertly coated with foil, and the spinner, for when you’re making hollow forms, which ensures the melted chocolate evenly coats the mold.
No need to lift each mold and tilt it left and right. Pure genius.
A Choc-Full of Personality
If you think machines won in that round, think again.
Inside the Purdys Chocolatier factory, it’s the skilled hands of humans that orchestrate the chocolate-making symphony. From the meticulous mixing of cream and butter to the delicate placement of little chocolate pieces into their brown plastic homes.
One employee who’s been with Purdys for 40 years shared a nugget of history with Van Mag: Purdys used to craft 1,200 Hedgehogs by hand every day.
Fast forward to today, and that number has soared to 80,000 in a single day.
Alright, we can’t ignore the significant role that machinery plays here. But it’s equally impossible to overlook the steadfast commitment of these employees who’ve stood by the company for four decades and counting.
And what’s the ultimate proof that the workers are indispensable? The hand-stamped signature designs adorning their chocolate creations.
Yes, don’t take our word for it—watch the video by Global News Morning, won’t you?
All the Care in the World Poured into Chocolate
For almost a decade, Purdys has been on a remarkable journey towards sustainability.
Their decision to use sustainable cocoa is no small feat, but they made it happen. Back in 2014, they had to make sure that every facet of their operations, from the intricacies of the supply chain to fair pricing, was rock solid.
So when you once again take a look around – even if everybody else is acting like it’s a given – you’ll see sustainable cocoa going into all the chocolate products being made in the factory.
Isn’t that amazing?
Then, in 2019 Purdys made its first Vegan chocolate.
As you walk through their factory, you’ll come across the dedicated station, and it feels like being in the presence of a rockstar – one that’s eco-conscious, ethical, and delivers remarkable returns in just a little short of two months!
Best Time to Go to Purdys Chocolatier Factory
The Purdys Chocolatier factory in Vancouver is not open for walk-in tours, but the factory shop is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The best time to visit appears to be any time of day, although the lunch hours might be busiest.
Weekends and holidays can also get a bit more crowded than usual. In particular, Easter and Valentine’s Day are quite busy because Purdys update their offerings by season.
How to Get to Purdys Chocolatier Factory
Car: From Vancouver, you can drive for 20 minutes to get to Purdys Chocolatier on Kingsway. From BC-1A/BC-99A, make your way to Earles St., then Moss St., to Kingsway.
Public transit: You can hop on the Expo Line at Waterfront Station and get off at the seventh stop at 29th Avenue Station. From there, you have to walk for more than 10 minutes to Purdys Chocolatier on Kingsway.
If you’re around the Main Street-Science World Station, you can wait for #19 bus Kingsway/To Metrotown Station and get off at EB Kingsway @ Earles St. The walk from here is just about two minutes.
Where to Stay near Purdy’s Chocolate Factory
Element Vancouver Metrotown
Address: 5988 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-568-3696
Pricing: $
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Element Vancouver provides a fantastic view of nearby mountains, surrounded by high-rise condos and apartments in the neighborhood. You’ll also find the Metrotown and SkyTrain station within a short walk.
A mere two blocks from the hotel, you’ll discover the second-largest mall in Canada, complete with a diverse food court serving Thai, Dimsum, Japanese, Chinese, and more. And after a delightful meal there, it’s just a quick seven-minute drive to Purdys.
Cassandra Hotel
Address: 3075 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5J8, Canada
Phone: +1 604-430-3441
Pricing: $
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Cassandra Hotel is one of the closest accommodations to Purdys Chocolatier. If you’re a fanatic and you want to stay really close to it, this is the hotel to book.
Other attractions are also within easy reach from here, as #19 bus Kingsway/To Stanley Park stops just around two minutes from the hotel.
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
Address: 6083 McKay Ave, Burnaby, BC V5H 2W7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-438-1200
Pricing: $$
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Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, located just about eight minutes from Purdys on Kingsway, is a fantastic choice. It not only boasts a wonderful location but also garners rave reviews from guests.
This hotel delivers on all the essentials, offering delicious food, immaculate rooms, and attentive service – precisely what you’d desire in your accommodation.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Burnaby Conference Centre
Address: 4331 Dominion St, Burnaby, BC V5G 1C7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-453-0750
Pricing: $$
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Delta Hotels in Burnaby is another establishment that consistently garners praise from visitors.
While some may note that the rooms have a somewhat dated feel, they offer generous space, and the amenities are both comprehensive and readily available.
The standout feature here is undoubtedly their breakfast, a genuine treat for guests.
Where to Eat near Purdys Chocolatier Factory
White Spot Kingsway
Address: 1476 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5N 2R5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-685-7502
Pricing: $$
Website
A great spot to consider, which is not only easy to reach but also worth trying, is White Spot. A short eight-minute drive from Purdys, they serve up breakfast, lunch, and drinks, so they’re a convenient choice for any time of the day.
Even more appealing, they source their ingredients from within British Columbia, adding that extra touch of local support we all appreciate.
Breka Bakery & Café
Address: 4554 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-559-0900
Pricing: $$
Website
Similar to its various other locations around town, this place often attracts a crowd, but the good news is that they’re quite efficient at serving customers.
If you order their passionfruit pistachio tart or dulce de leche, you’ll quickly realize why people are willing to wait patiently in line.
Well, there’s free and/or convenient street parking so waiting in line won’t be that big of a deal.
The Tipper Restaurant
Address: 2066 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5N 2T3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-873-1010
Pricing: $
Website
Looking for a good meal that you can enjoy with a few drinks? The Tipper Restaurant can go from the classic “Simple Breakfast” of eggs, toast, hash browns, and ham, to the Portobello Mushroom Burger, with portobello cap with Swiss cheese and peppers.
Check out their merchandise too!
Western Lake Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Address: 4989 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3T7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-321-6862
Pricing: $
Website
For those craving some delectable dim sum, look no further than the Western Lake Restaurant. They offer an extensive menu of your (and our) favorite dim sum dishes.
And if you’re visiting with a sizable group, you’ll appreciate their generous dinner options and party trays.
