Gearharts Fine Chocolates Completes Purchase of Henrico Candy Maker Miss Maude’s

Published October 29, 2026 | Written by the Mission Realty Team.

A Charlottesville chocolate maker has added a Henrico brand to its lineup. Richmond BizSense reports that Gearharts Fine Chocolates has completed its purchase of Miss Maude’s, the candy-bar maker founded by Jessica Leonard. The deal was finalized in August and terms were not disclosed.

Here is what changed, what it means for shoppers and how the story fits into the Short Pump retail scene.

What Changed

The Miss Maude’s store at 8801 Three Chopt Road has closed. Production of the candy bars now takes place at the Gearharts store at 11301 W. Broad Street in Short Pump. Founder Jessica Leonard built the brand in Henrico, and the sale means her recipes and products now sit under the Gearharts umbrella.

Gearharts is a Charlottesville-based chocolatier with a long local following. You can learn about its products and shops on the Gearharts website. Because terms of the sale were not disclosed, we do not have details on pricing or staffing.

For customers, the practical takeaway is simple: if you visited the Three Chopt Road shop, you will now find the candy bars through Gearharts. Check the Gearharts website or call the Short Pump store for current product availability, hours and holiday ordering deadlines. Chocolate shops tend to get busy from mid-November through Christmas, so plan gift orders early.

Why Local Food Brands Matter to Neighborhoods

Independent food businesses give a shopping area its identity. When a small brand is acquired by a regional one, shoppers often wonder what will change. In this case, the brand continues, and production moves to a Short Pump storefront that already serves customers in western Henrico.

If you like exploring local shops, see our post on Richmond neighborhoods near a major shopping center, plus our coverage of a new Lagree studio at Village Shopping Center on Three Chopt Road and the new OneLife Fitness in Short Pump.

Food makers also tend to cluster near other daily-needs businesses, such as gyms, grocery stores and coffee shops. That kind of mix is one reason buyers search for homes near West Broad Street. A short drive to the store, the gym and the office is a real quality-of-life factor, even if it never shows up in a listing description.

Short Pump and West Broad Street

West Broad Street in Short Pump is one of the region’s busiest retail corridors, with national chains, locally owned shops and restaurants. Our Short Pump community guide covers the housing mix, and our Henrico County overview compares nearby areas such as Glen Allen and Innsbrook.

Commuters may want to read our post on neighborhoods with a short commute to West End office parks.

Following Local Business News

New stores, closures and acquisitions often precede changes in nearby development. Henrico posts planning and permit information on henrico.gov, and our guide to tracking development before approval explains how to watch for changes near a home you are considering.

Browse current listings to see what is available in western Henrico today.

A candy bar maker changing hands is a small story, but it is the kind of local business news that shapes how a shopping area feels. If you are thinking about a move to western Henrico, our preferred lenders can help you plan.

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