WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Two local chocolate retailers have decided to permanently combine forces after finding success with a joint-venture “cocoa bar”.

Last December, Kingsbury Chocolates of Old Town Alexandria and Artfully Chocolate, opened ACKC D.C., a retail chocolate store and cocoa bar in Logan Circle.

The venture gave them the opportunity to sell Rob Kingsbury’s chocolates, display Artfully Chocolate owner Eric Nelson’s artwork, and sell gelato and hot and frozen chocolate beverages in a larger space, according to Nelson.

“We decided to pool our resources and combine our passions,” Neslon said.

This week, the two announced that Kingsbury’s Old Town location will close April 30.

Instead of finding a new spot in Old Town, the two companies decided they would open up a store together similar to ACKC in Del Ray, and convert Artfully Chocolate into a chocolate-making supplies store that gives instruction and classes.

The new ACKC Alexandria will be on Mount Vernon Avenue, Del Ray’s main drag, across the street from Evening Star Cafe. It will seat about 10 people, sell Dolcezza gelato and Big Train frozen drinks.

Nelson is confident Kingsbury’s former customers will make the trek to the new space.

“It’s only a mile or two away,” he said. Kingsbury was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Other D.C. enterprises have picked up on the city’s chocolate craze. Co Co. Sala, a more extensive cocoa bar and restaurant set for Penn Quarter, had hoped to make its debut by Valentine’s Day but has been plagued by opening delays. Publicist Lindley Thornburg said Wednesday the restaurant now plans to open by the first week in May.

melissa.frederick@dcexaminer.com