Our History

The Rogers' Legacy Lives On

In 1885 Charles “Candy” Rogers moved to Victoria B.C. He very quickly established a “green grocery” on the west side of Government Street, across from the location where the Heritage store was build in 1903. The Victorian era building was created by architects Hooper and Watkins for Charles, with a Queen Anne Revival shopfront, including wooden features, stained glass pieces, and intricate tiling.

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Charles "Candy" Rogers

Son of a Massachusetts farmer, Charles “Candy” Rogers moved to Victoria B.C. in 1885. He very quickly established a “green grocery” on the west side of Government Street, across from the location he would later develop into the iconic heritage store we call home today. Alongside the fruits and vegetables, Charles sold chocolates that were imported from San Francisco. He married a local girl, Leah Morrison and with tourists and locals buying up their sweets as fast as they could stock the shelves, Charles decided to begin making the chocolates himself.

Victoria Cream

A Classic Was Born

Charles’ very first and original creation, the Victoria Cream, quickly became a local favourite and thus began his career as Canada’s first and finest chocolatier. While he developed his skills over a steamy cauldron in the backroom, Leah worked hard out front managing the retail store. Together they built a thriving business out of the Heritage Store, in the heart of British Columbia’s capital city.

Rogers' Chocolates

Heritage Storefront

With immaculate shimmering stained glass, gleaming wooden fixtures, and the same custom tiling from 1903, the store site was designated a historic building in 1991. Today, Rogers’ Chocolates remains privately owned and locally operated by Canadian families who take great pride in maintaining the legacy of Charles and Leah. We have eight retail stores in British Columbia, but the grandure of the Heritage Store lives on. Next time you visit Victoria, be sure to step into the old world store and immerse yourself in the quality and elegance of the past while tasting the original Victoria Cream recipe, a little piece of chocolate history.