North Beach's Z. Cioccolato Kickstarting For Big Renovation

North Beach's Z. Cioccolato Kickstarting For Big RenovationNew owner Mike Zwiefelhofer outside of Z. Cioccolato. (Photo: Z. Cioccolato/Kickstarter)
Holly Erickson
Published on November 23, 2015

Z. Cioccolato, the sweet shop that's occupied the corner of Columbus and Green since 2002, is seeking to raise funds from the neighborhood for a new look. Back in July, former owners Mark and Kerri Warmus sold Z. to Mike Zwiefelhofer, who previously owned a frozen yogurt shop in Sacramento. Though he's kept the menu largely the same, with housemade fudge and chocolate confections, ice cream, and old-fashioned penny candy, Zwiefelhofer is now hoping to make over the space.

Z. has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $5,000, which will be invested into a remodeled kitchen; an updated logo, color scheme and decor; a revamped front window display; and a new website. Donors will receive rewards like a variety box of fudge ($40) or a food tour of North Beach that includes creating and naming their own fudge ($500).

"Once we get the money to get thisproject going, we’ll have a grand reopening within the first quarter of the new year,” says Zwiefelhofer. The shop's 10 percent discount for locals, instituted under the Warmuses, is still in effect.