Meet Courtney Pigford of Honeycreeper Chocolate

You’d be hard-pressed to imagine anything more universally loved than chocolate. And thanks to Honeycreeper Chocolate, Birmingham has easy access to the really, really good stuff. Lifelong chocolate-lover Courtney Pigford has been exploring the farm-to-shelf journey of the high-end chocolate industry for years, and she’s putting her own stamp on the market with her new downtown brick-and-mortar retail location — a space shared with sustainable clothing shop, basic. Get to know the FACE behind this delicious local business!

Tell us a bit about your relationship with the South — are you from Birmingham originally?

I am originally from Charlottesville, VA, and spent summers in Atlanta, GA, with my dad and also lived there for a couple of years after attending Sewanee in Tennessee. So you can see, I’ve definitely had a long relationship with the South, and I’ll admit it’s often a complicated one. I would like to see people of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, and gender identities respected, valued, and afforded the rights they deserve in Southern communities where that’s not always the case.

What led you to ‘the business of chocolate’?

I don’t actually make chocolate; I’m not a chocolatier or chocolate maker. Honeycreeper Chocolate is a purveyor of craft and fine chocolate. I always joke that if I made it, you likely wouldn’t want to eat it, but it’s not really a joke because it’s so true! Cooking is definitely not something at which I am very skilled. Eating, however, is a different story.

I love food and have always loved chocolate. Any time we travel, I am always on the lookout for the “good chocolate.” I may not have always been educated on the differences between ‘fine’ versus ‘commodity’ cacao or craft production versus big box production, but my tastebuds could always tell the difference. There were a few offerings of larger-scale craft chocolate at Fresh Market or Whole Foods in Birmingham, but a trip to a chocolate festival in Seattle in 2017 is what really opened my eyes, and the rest is history.

The Honeycreeper clearly has significance for you — what inspired you to name your shop after a bird?

When I began learning more about cacao and the ecosystem where it grows, it was made clear that so many species are interconnected, humans included. The honeycreeper was a perfect example of that connection as it thrives in the tree canopy, offering shade to understory crops such as cacao. Our particular honeycreeper is a female shining honeycreeper, and she inspires our brand color scheme and our daily excitement for new tasting experiences through cacao.

Honeycreeper started with pop-up shops. What was that journey like — going from pop-up to brick-and-mortar?

Pop-up shops are so fun and a great way to start out. I really loved being able to test the waters in a variety of locations. I met Lacey Woodroof of basic. while we were both pop-ups, and we realized how much we enjoyed being able to bounce ideas off of one another and share business ideas.

We also shared an ethos of ethical sourcing and decided to move into a brick-and-mortar together, making the jump more affordable and enabling us to rely on each other for backup before we were ready to add employees. We have since moved locations, and both have added employees, but we still shop-share and love it!

For last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers, what are your favorite treats currently available in the shop?

A box of bonbons is always a treat, but we also have an incredible Valentine’s Day bar bundle with seasonal flavors like strawberries and cream, raspberry, and champagne.

And, for the more adventurous among us, what would you recommend for the serious chocolate connoisseurs?

A cup of our house-made dark or milk chocolate mousse is always rich and decadent. We were given a glowing review of this mousse during the World Games when the Belgian General Consulate from Atlanta came over and tried a cup — truly an honor since the Belgians have a long history of making chocolate treats.

What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced as a small business owner?

When you’re a small business owner, you really do have five (or more) different “jobs”… from marketing to management, social media, and of course, sales. Wearing all of those hats and also managing life is always a challenge.

What’s next for Honeycreeper Chocolate?

We began offering chocolate tastings last year and are excited to be offering those twice a month now. Our shop manager, Reggie, recently passed the level two chocolate tasting certification course from the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting, which is a very intense course to prepare (among others) judges for the international chocolate awards. We would love to keep building community through chocolate this year.

What are your current favorite sources of inspiration?

During COVID, I began hand paper making and paper marbling, two crafts that have won a place in my heart and also occupy a large studio space upstairs from the shop. I will be spending some time this year learning from experts in these crafts, which is always so inspiring!

What are your favorite places to eat, shop, and play in Birmingham?

Thankfully, our location on Second Avenue is pretty prime for all of the above. I can go less than a block for a spicy chicken tostada at El Barrio, sushi at Bamboo, incredible risotto at Lé Fresca, or an afternoon glass of wine at Aviné.

Of course, basic. is my favorite for shopping, but I also love to go to Etc. in Mountain Brook for jewelry. In terms of play, I haven’t made time to check out the City Walk yet, but as soon as we have a few good weather days, I’ll definitely be doing that.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Be yourself. It’s a cliché, and the truth is that we’re always discovering how to be ourselves because we’re always changing and growing. But, after 49 years, I think I’m getting better at it. I’m more comfortable being me and care much less about being who I think other people would like me to be.

Beyond faith, family, and friends — name three things you can’t live without.

Pets, chocolate, gratitude.

Visit Honeycreeper Chocolate at 2214 Second Avenue North. They’re open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

**********

To stay in the know on the best of Birmingham, subscribe to our daily emails!