Sweet Spot: Compartés Celebrates 75 Years in L.A.

Yahoo

11-02-2025

This Valentine's Day, many in Los Angeles are choosing to show love and affection for their hometown as well as each other, especially in the wake of the California wildfires. Which makes Compartés gourmet chocolatier the sweetest choice in town. From its uniquely beautiful packaging to its delectable flavors and recipes, the chocolatier's 75-year history and growth is a true local success story.'We're a homegrown L.A. brand, here since 1950,' owner and CEO Jonathan Grahm says of his company, which built its local fanbase in beloved retail stores in Brentwood and West Hollywood (they closed during the pandemic) and its profile as a national brand via collaborations with fashion houses and pop culture figures. 'Our chocolate factory in Culver City is still standing and I'm happy we're able to come to work and make chocolate, which makes people happy. It's kind of a nice thing in this moment of not-so-nice things.'
Grahm, who started at the company at the age of 15, designed a special new bar, called 'I Love L.A.,' while watching the fire coverage on TV last month. He's donating 100% of its proceeds to wildfire relief.'As an L.A. brand, it's so important,' he says. 'People see our packaging not only all over town, but all over the country and worldwide. We're sold in 3,000 shops all over the U.S. Compartés is really emblematic of Los Angeles.Featuring his signature dark chocolate with a sprinkling of gourmet sea salt, the new vegan, gluten-free L.A. bar joins his other hometown homage, the popular 'California Love' bar, which he created 15 years ago. Boasting a pink-hued sunset and swaying palm trees graphic, it's become famous for its design as well as the rich dark chocolate and San Francisco sourdough pretzel candy inside.
Graham was 21 when he bought the family company and rebranded. Driven by a fashion-forward, artisanal approach, his confections now stand out amid other more typical boxed chocolate offerings on the market. Compartés is a special and luxurious choice to give loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, both for its aesthetics and its flavors — which whimsically blend creamy smooth cocoa in dark, milk and white chocolate with a variety of other ingredients, like strawberries, potato chips, coffee and donuts (an ode to Grahm's favorite L.A. donut shops).
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Compartés offers new bars packed with pieces of red velvet cake and strawberry cheesecake, the latter featuring a tie-dye heart design. The brand also boasts decadent new collections, in boxes adorned with florals, swans and peacocks. Try chocolate-covered fruit; pink chocolate-covered Oreos and hearts; and its popular take on the classic heart-shaped box, a sumptuous crocodile-textured design available in shades of crimson red and dark green.
While Grahm's goals to transform Compartés into a chic, elevated chocolate brand have been achieved, he hopes that his commitment to using local ingredients and printing facilities convey the deep connection and community that have inspired him since he took the company's helm.'I've been in L.A. my whole life,' he says. 'I went to Beverly High and I grew up on the Westside. I love L.A; it's my inspiration. It's my heart and it's my home. All of those things come through when you look at the brand.'5735 W. Adams Blvd., Culver City, compartes.com