Chocolates by Tina Marie

The town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, is home to more than one chocolate maker. Tina Olaf-Lerch grew up in town and has been crafting artisan chocolates for over 30 years. The former-corporate employee opened her first shop in Palmyra’s Farmstead Farm Market in 2007. She and her husband, Ed, now own a stand-alone business as well: a small-batch, artisan shop in Hummelstown, just outside of Hershey, drawing in patrons with a wide array of handmade chocolates, speciality confections, retro candies, and gift baskets. 

Chocolates by Tina Marie utilizes fresh nuts, gourmet marshmallows, and homemade butter cream fillings in their confections, and feature more than 40 types of chocolate creations, including both gluten and sugar free. Choose from chocolate-covered strawberries, peanut butter melts, walnut caramel clusters, and even chocolate-covered bacon. Molded chocolates in seasonal shapes like Santas and turkeys are especially popular. The cozy space is also a one-stop shop for truffles, rum balls, fudge, and gummies—all in full-view behind a curved glass display counter. 

In 2024, Olaf-Lerch won the inaugural Grand Confection Award from the Retail Confectioners International’s annual convention and expo, which took place in Buffalo, N.Y. Her winning entry, a caramel macchiato with espresso sea salt, beat out the creations of 30 other chocolatiers from around the country. 

Occasionally, Olaf-Lerch will host pairing events like beer and chocolate, matching four artisanal confections with four beverages from Tröegs Independent Brewing in Hershey. Her chocolate shop is also part of the larger Hershey & Harrisburg Chocolate & More Sweet Treat Trail, a curated business trail showcasing the variety of sweet spots around the region, including Hershey’s Cherry Blossom Creamery and Hummeltown’s Chubby’s Ice Cream Cafe.